The artwork “Boeufs du Cantal” is the creation of artist Rosa Bonheur, who was known for her commitment to the Realism movement. The artwork is classified as a “sketch and study,” which often denotes a preparatory work or an exercise in capturing the essential form and features of the subject.
In “Boeufs du Cantal,” the meticulous attention to detail is evident, characteristic of Realism’s aim to depict subjects truthfully without artificiality and avoiding speculative fiction and supernatural elements. The sketch portrays a pair of oxen, rendered with precision and an acute sense of their physical presence. The animals are captured with a sense of individuality and naturalism, their muscular forms and the texture of their coats depicted with fine strokes. There is a palpable weight and solidity to the oxen, which emphasizes their role as powerful, domesticated working animals. The shading utilized by Bonheur suggests a source of light from the upper right, casting subtle shadows that give further depth and form to the creatures. This focus on the honest representation of these bovines aligns with the broader ethos of the Realism movement, which advocated for a grounded and authentic portrayal of everyday life and its components.
