Title
Rosa Bonheur: The Artist s (Auto)biography
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Hailed by her contemporaries as the most popular animalpainter, male or female, of the nineteenth century, the French artist Rosa Bonheur (182299) lived to see her name become a household word. In a century that did its best to keep women in their place, Bonheur, like George Sandto whom she was often compareddefined herself outside of the social and legal codes of her time. To the horror and bewilderment of many, she earned her own money, managed her own property, wore trousers, hunted, smoked, and lived in retreat with female companions in a little chateau near Fountainebleau named The Domain of Perfect Affection.Rosa Bonheur: The Artist s (Auto)Biography brings this extraordinary woman to life in a unique blend of biography and autobiography. Coupling her own memories with Bonheur s firstperson account, Anna Klumpke, a young American artist who was Bonheur s lover and chosen portraitist, recounts how she came to meet and fall in love with Bonheur. Bonheur s account of her own life story, set nicely within Klumpke s narrative, sheds light on such topics as gender formation, institutional changes in the art world, governmental intervention in the arts, the social and legal regulation of dress codes, and the perceived transgressive nature of female sexual companionship in a repressive society, all with the distinctive flavor of Bonheur s artistic personality.Gretchen van Slyke s translation provides a rare glimpse into the unconventional life of this famous French painter, and renders accessible for the first time in English this public statement of Bonheur s artistic credo. More importantly, whether judged by her century s standards (or perhaps even our own), it details a story of lesbian love that is bold, unconventional, and courageous. The remarkable life of Rosa Bonheur, one of the most highly decorated artists and certainly the best known female artist of her time in nineteenthcentury France, is long overdue for further scrutiny. Therese Dolan, Temple UniversityGretchen van Slyke is Associate Professor of French, University of Vermont.
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- Q: What is the main focus of 'Rosa Bonheur: The Artist's (Auto)biography'? A: The book focuses on the life and work of Rosa Bonheur, a prominent 19th-century French animal painter, exploring her unconventional lifestyle, artistic achievements, and the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated society.
- Q: Who is the author of this biography? A: The biography is authored by Anna Klumpke, who was also Rosa Bonheur's lover and portraitist, providing a unique perspective on Bonheur's life.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: This book is bound in hardcover, ensuring durability and a premium feel.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book contains 352 pages, providing an in-depth exploration of Rosa Bonheur's life and work.
- Q: When was 'Rosa Bonheur: The Artist's (Auto)biography' published? A: The book was published on December 11, 1997.
- Q: Is this book suitable for academic research? A: Yes, the book offers valuable insights into gender formation, artistic practices, and societal norms of the 19th century, making it suitable for academic research and studies related to art history and gender studies.
- Q: What themes are explored in the book? A: The book explores themes such as gender identity, societal regulations on women, the art world of the 19th century, and the nature of female companionship in a repressive society.
- Q: Who translated the book into English? A: The book was translated into English by Gretchen van Slyke, providing accessibility to readers unfamiliar with the original French text.
- Q: What is the edition of this book? A: This book is a First Edition, which may be of particular interest to collectors and enthusiasts of art biographies.
- Q: Can you describe Rosa Bonheur's significance in art history? A: Rosa Bonheur is significant in art history as one of the most celebrated animal painters of her time, breaking gender barriers and influencing the perception of women in the arts.