Rosa Bohneur (1822-1899) was celebrated during her lifetime on both sides of the Atlantic. The current exhibition aims to reveal little explored or even unknown aspects of her fascinating personality, as an artist who was able to assert herself both as a free woman and as an officially recognized artist in a very straight-laced century. The first woman artist to receive the prestigious Légion d'honneur, Rosa Bonheur was able to associate herself with the most eminent dealers and collectors of her time. A real “star”of the art world, she organized her life around her work and the relentless quest for perfection, accompanied in particular by her lifelong companion Nathalie Micas, who lived by her side for more than fifty years and participated in her artwork.

One of the greatest animal painters of all time, Rosa Bonheur managed to also establish herself as the artist with the most expensive works of her time. A large selection of studies and sketches, both painted and drawn, which allow us to appreciate the full scope of her art, as well as a canvas drawing of over 4.5 meters long from her famous residence, the Château de By, are shown to the public for the first time.