Rosa Bonheur, Chavalier of the Legion of Honour

Rosa Bonheur wearing the Cross
of the Legion of Honour

"In 1865 Rosa Bonheur was made a Chavalier of the Legion of Honour. It happened thusly. When the Court was at Fontainebleau in 1864 the Empress Eugenie had called at By unexpectedly, and after watching Rosa Bonheur at work, ordered a picture. She shortly afterwards begged Napoleon to bestow the Cross of the Legion of Honour upon the artist, but although the Emperor was quite willing to give the honour, his counsellors opposed it on the ground that no woman had ever been admitted within its ranks save for charity or bravery. 

When the Emperor went to Algiers in the following year, and the Empress was Regent during his absence, she made use of her temporary power to bestow the Cross, and that in a most charming fashion. The artist relates that one day, as she was painting, she heard the cracking of postilions' whips and the sound of carriage wheels in the courtyard. The next moment a maid rushed into the room to say that the Empress had arrived, and Rosa Bonheur had only time to cover the male attire in which she always worked with a petticoat and to change her big painting blouse for a jacket of black velvet, when the Empress entered. 

 'I have here,' said her Majesty, 'a little jewel that I have brought to you on behalf of the Emperor. He has authorized me to profit by my last day of regency to announce to you your appointment to the Legion of Honour.' She then pinned the Cross upon the black velvet jacket with a pin borrowed from one of her ladies, and kissing the painter, said she 'was happy to be able thus to reward her talent in which, as a woman, she felt great pride,' adding that in Rosa Bonheur she 'honoured the woman as much as the artist.' 

The official announcement of the bestowal of the honour appeared in the 'Journal Officiel' of 11 June, 1865, the day of the Emperor's return from Algiers. A few days later she was bidden to luncheon at Fontainebleau, being taken to the palace from By in a Court carriage."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Rosa Bonheur" by Frank Hird.)