The King Watches (1887)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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Rosa Bonheur's compelling painting, "The King Watches" (1887), captivates viewers with its intricate portrayal of regal wildlife in a serene yet evocative natural setting. The canvas masterfully showcases a family of lions, with the majestic male lion standing prominently at the center, his gaze intense and watchful. His thick mane and muscular stature are rendered with astonishing detail, highlighting Bonheur's adept skill in animal anatomy.To the right, a lioness lies peacefully asleep, embodying a tranquil contrast to the alertness of the male. Nearby, two cubs, innocent and curious, cling close to the male, looking out with intrigue. Their presence introduces a tender dynamic, suggesting the unity and protective nature of the lion family.The backdrop of lush greenery and rugged terrains enhances the realism of the scene, providing a rich, textured environment that echoes the wildness of the subjects. Bonheur's use of light and shadow, coupled with realistic color tones, accentuates the naturalism she was renowned for.
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Rosa Bonheur, born Marie-Rosalie Bonheur, was a French artist, mostly a painter of animals (animalière) but also a sculptor, in a realist style. Her paintings include Ploughing in the Nivernais, first exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1848, and now at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, and The Horse Fair (in French: Le marché aux chevaux), which was exhibited at the Salon of 1853 (finished in 1855) and is now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City. Bonheur was widely considered to be the most famous female painter of the nineteenth century.