Oil Painting Buffalo Bill on Horseback After Rosa Bonheur

Buffalo Bill on Horseback After Rosa Bonheur - Mid 20th Century Western Americana Oil Painting of William Frederick Cody A striking mid 20th century oil on canvas depicting the legendary American frontiersman William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody riding a pale grey horse, after the celebrated 1889 portrait by the renowned French artist Rosa Bonheur. This decorative Western Americana painting beautifully captures the romance and mythology of the American frontier and would make an impressive statement piece within a country house, ranch, lodge, study, or traditional interior. The composition is inspired by the famous portrait created during Buffalo Bill Cody’s celebrated European Wild West tour in Paris in 1889, where Rosa Bonheur famously visited the encampment and later painted the iconic equestrian portrait upon which this work is based. Artistic Detail: Buffalo Bill is portrayed in heroic equestrian form seated confidently upon a luminous grey horse against an atmospheric landscape backdrop. The horse forms the principal visual focus, with expressive brushwork visible throughout the mane, costume, saddle, and surrounding landscape. The painting displays strong decorative appeal with a restrained palette and balanced composition characteristic of classic Western and equestrian portraiture. Historical Interest: Buffalo Bill Cody became one of the most recognised figures of the late 19th century through his internationally acclaimed Wild West shows which toured extensively throughout Europe and America. Rosa Bonheur’s original portrait remains one of the most famous artistic representations of the American West and is today housed within the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, Wyoming. This later painted interpretation celebrates both the mythology of the cowboy frontier and the enduring popularity of Western Americana art. About Rosa Bonheur: Rosa Bonheur (1822–1899) was among the most celebrated animal painters of the 19th century and one of the most important female artists in European art history. Associated with the French Realist movement, she achieved international acclaim for her exceptional equestrian and animal subjects, including her masterpiece The Horse Fair held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. Dimensions Canvas Size Approx. 38 cm x 28 cm Framed Size Height: 50.5 cm Width: 40.5 cm Depth: 4 cm Frame: Presented in an attractive gilt frame which complements the historical Western subject matter beautifully. Signature: Unsigned Provenance: Private Collection Reeman Dansie Timed Auction, Essex Curated by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD Privately loaned & exhibited at the Famous Lord Hill Museum, April 2026 A Fine Decorative Western Painting: An appealing and highly decorative Buffalo Bill equestrian portrait after Rosa Bonheur, combining American frontier history with classic European artistic influence. Ideal for collectors of Western Americana, cowboy art, equestrian paintings, and historical decorative interiors. Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD – Specialists in Fine Art, Antiques & Historical Works of Art.