Rosa Bonheur

“But the suit of the man was my uniform, one might say, although it was not the main reason for the sympathy I have received from some of the people of my sex.”

“I was forced to recognize that the clothing of my sex was a constant bother. That is why I decided to solicit the authorization to wear men's clothing from the prefect of police.”

“Why shouldn't I be proud to be a woman? My father, that enthusiastic apostle of humanity, told me again and again that woman's mission was to elevate the human race, that she was the Messiah of future centuries.”

“Art is a tyrant. It demands heart, brain, soul, body. The entireness of the votary. Nothing less will win its highest favor. I wed art. It is my husband, my world, my life-dream, the air I breathe.”

“As far as males go, I only like the bulls I paint.”

“To my way of thinking, the Creator has given a soul to all living things.”

“Friendship is a divine affection. It is not composed, as is love, of a single feeling, but of a thousand diverse sentiments.”

“The epithet 'Amazon' has been conferred upon me, and I am very proud of it.”

“I have no patience with women who ask for everything and give nothing. I have worked like a man.”

“My success is owing to my father, my exceptional father, who gave me a man's education.”