Artwork
Cattle in the Auvergne
Cattle in the Auvergne is a pastel drawing by the Impressionist artist Rosa Bonheur. It dates from 1867 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1867, “Cattle in the Auvergne” is a drawing by French animal painter Rosa Bonheur. Executed on brown wove paper, the work combines black and white chalk with limited pastel accents to depict a tranquil rural scene.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a herd of cattle positioned on a gentle slope, some turning toward the viewer. Behind them rise distant mountains beneath a cloud‑filled sky, suggesting the pastoral landscape of the Auvergne region and emphasizing the quiet coexistence of livestock and nature.
Technique & Style
Bonheur employed chalk for the primary tonal structure, applying stumping to blend and soften surfaces, thereby achieving a sense of atmospheric depth. Subtle pastel touches highlight highlights on the animals and terrain, while the brown paper provides a warm ground tone that unifies the monochrome palette.
History & Provenance
The drawing was produced during the period when Bonheur was establishing her reputation for realistic animal studies. It remains documented as part of her oeuvre from the late 1860s, though specific ownership records after its creation are not widely published.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Rosa Bonheur was a French artist known best as a painter of animals (animalière).
