Study of a Dog c. 1860s

Rosa Bonheur, a French artist who lived from 1822 to 1899, painted this intimate "Study of a Dog." Bonheur lived in a time of changing gender roles, and she challenged these norms by becoming a successful animal painter, a genre then dominated by men. Bonheur's choice to focus on animals, and her ability to capture their essence, provided a unique space for her to express herself and connect with a world often less constrained by societal expectations than the human one. The dog here isn’t just a pet, it’s a representation of loyalty and companionship. It's difficult to make a living as an artist, yet Bonheur did. She broke barriers, and lived her life as she wanted, in trousers! There's something deeply personal in this study, a quiet admiration for the natural world. It invites us to reflect on our relationships with animals, and perhaps even our own identities, through the lens of Bonheur's pioneering spirit.