ISIDORE JULES BONHEUR

A prominent naturalistic animal sculptor of the 19th century, Bonheur came from a family of artists. He was trained as a painter by his father, Raymond, with his sister, Rosa also continuing the family tradition. He exhibited at the Paris salon from 1847 onwards, won medals in 1865 and 1869 and, in 1889, a prestigious gold medal at the Exposition Universelle.

Bonheur worked closely with his brother in law, Hippolyte Peyrol, the founder based in Paris. it is likely that this bronze was cast by the Peyrol foundry.