Raymond Bonheur

Oscar-Raymond Bonheur (1796–1849) was a French painter. He is best known as the father of Rosa Bonheur (1822–1899), Auguste Bonheur (1824–1884), Isidore Bonheur (1827–1901), and Juliette Bonheur (1830–1891).^[1]

Raymond Bonheur
Self-portrait
Born	Oscar-Raymond Bonheur (1796-03-20)20 March 1796 Bordeaux, France
Died	23 March 1849(1849-03-23) (aged 53) Paris, France
Nationality	French
Known for	Painting
Spouse	Christine Dorotheé Sophie Marquis
Children	Rosa, Auguste, Isidore, and Juliette

Biography

Bonheur was born in 1796. He was a landscape and portrait painter. He was also follower of Saint-Simonianism^[1] He left his wife, Sophie, and his four children to join a Saint-Simonian community. When Sophie died of tuberculosis, he took over the responsibility for his previously abandoned children. He sent his two sons to boarding school and Juliette was sent to live with a family friend. Rosa remained with her father.^[2]

He died in 1849.^[1]

Personal life

Bonheur's family was of Jewish descent.^[3]