3 December: Rosa Bonheur's Oxen

The ox was traditionally a sacrificial animal in the Bible, seen by early Christians as symbolic of Christ's sacrifice. In Christmas imagery, of course, the ox is always accompanied by the donkey - a symbolic meaning of the joining of extremes.

Today, we’ve chosen depictions of the ox by the rebellious 19th-century artist Rosa Bonheur. She was the leading animal painter of the 19th century (even Queen Victoria admired her work). She lived unconventionally at the time - wearing her hair short, smoking, and living with her romantic partner, Nathalie Micas.

Famously, Bonheur said: “As far as males go, I only like the bulls I paint.”

Do you know the difference between oxen and bulls? Oxen can be either male or female (depending on their size and hauling capabilities), while a bull refers to strictly male cattle.

Learn more about Bonheur in this video: