The artwork titled “Royalty at Home” is a creation by the artist Rosa Bonheur, dated 1885. This work is executed in watercolor, embracing the aesthetics of the Realism art movement. The dimensions of the piece measure 39.37 x 55.88 cm. Classified under the genre of animal painting, this artwork forms part of the collection housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, located in Minneapolis, MN, United States.
“Royalty at Home” depicts a serene and intimate moment between two lions in a natural setting. The regal beasts are portrayed at rest upon rocky terrain, which suggests the environment of their natural habitat. The male lion, with a robust mane and a composed demeanor, lies in the foreground, exuding a sense of calm authority. Beside him, the lioness appears equally tranquil and observant. The detail in their fur and the careful depiction of light and shadow demonstrate the artist’s skill with watercolor. Bonheur’s honest representation of these creatures speaks to the Realism movement’s drive to depict subjects truthfully without idealization. The backdrop of the scene is marked by delicate vegetation and a suggestion of distant mountains, offering context and depth to the lion’s domain. Overall, the painting resonates with the tranquility and underlying power of its noble subjects.
