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A Storm of Horses
An inspiring picture book about Rosa Bonheur, the most famous female painter of her century, published to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the artist's birth
In a stunning ode to underrepresented women everywhere, award-winning illustrator Ruth Sanderson tells the untold story of French artist Rosa Bonheur in this picture book biography.
Rosa Bonheur was born in 1822 in France at a time when young women had limited options beyond being a wife and mother. But Rosa wouldn’t stand for this. She wore pants, rode horses astride, and often broke society’s rules. She wanted to be a famous painter just like her father. Female artists at the time were encouraged to paint domestic scenes of children and family, but Rosa was determined to capture the unbridled wild beauty of horses.
Her masterpiece The Horse Fair was eight feet high and sixteen feet wide. Rosa went on to become the most celebrated artist of her time with paintings purchased by art collectors, museums, and galleries around the world. With the decline in popularity of realistic painting, Rosa’s trailblazing story was almost forgotten.
Revel at the bravery and fortitude of young Rosa as you take in Ruth Sanderson’s immaculate rendition of her life and artistry.
In a stunning ode to underrepresented women everywhere, award-winning illustrator Ruth Sanderson tells the untold story of French artist Rosa Bonheur in this picture book biography.
Rosa Bonheur was born in 1822 in France at a time when young women had limited options beyond being a wife and mother. But Rosa wouldn’t stand for this. She wore pants, rode horses astride, and often broke society’s rules. She wanted to be a famous painter just like her father. Female artists at the time were encouraged to paint domestic scenes of children and family, but Rosa was determined to capture the unbridled wild beauty of horses.
Her masterpiece The Horse Fair was eight feet high and sixteen feet wide. Rosa went on to become the most celebrated artist of her time with paintings purchased by art collectors, museums, and galleries around the world. With the decline in popularity of realistic painting, Rosa’s trailblazing story was almost forgotten.
Revel at the bravery and fortitude of young Rosa as you take in Ruth Sanderson’s immaculate rendition of her life and artistry.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published March 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 22, 2022
First things first: this artwork is stunning. it's rare to get photorealistic art in picture books and every page is truly a piece of art.
Love that the actual painting "The Horse Fair" is included at the end although the page turn between the end of the "story" and the page with the painting and a little caption about it is abrupt.
More About Rosa at the end mentions her lifelong relationship with her companion Nathalie who is also mentioned in the text briefly which is a nice way to stay true to reality while also sticking to the length needed for a picture book.
End includes more about Rosa with photos, author's note, recommended drawing books (fun), sources, and image credits. Plus where to find Rosa Bonheur's art.
Love that the actual painting "The Horse Fair" is included at the end although the page turn between the end of the "story" and the page with the painting and a little caption about it is abrupt.
More About Rosa at the end mentions her lifelong relationship with her companion Nathalie who is also mentioned in the text briefly which is a nice way to stay true to reality while also sticking to the length needed for a picture book.
End includes more about Rosa with photos, author's note, recommended drawing books (fun), sources, and image credits. Plus where to find Rosa Bonheur's art.
September 4, 2022
Beautiful illustrations in this picture book biography of French artist (and LGBT icon) Rosa Bonheur. A good read for children interested in animals and art. Additional information at the back of the book includes information about Bonheur's personal life (including her relationship with her lifelong partner, Nathalie Micas).
Want to Read
January 8, 2022Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
May 25, 2022
We love the artwork of Ruth Sanderson. The authors notes about how she decided to become an artist and other artists that inspired her was fun to read.
June 10, 2022
A fascinating, beautifully illustrated biography of an artist I hadn't heard of before. It's *almost* simple enough for my horse-themed story time.
July 21, 2022
4.5 fascinating
October 20, 2022
What a BEAUTIFUL book! I enjoyed learning more about Rosa Bonheur and the illustrations are magnificent.
August 9, 2023
Rosa Bonheur bio in picture book form.
April 23, 2025
Beautiful, beautiful book!
August 11, 2024
2022 - HB - Autographed? - Have It - Read It
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews