Portrait of Леон Бонна

Your Guide to the 100 Most Famous Леон Бонна Paintings

Updated Жовтень 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 141 works by Леон Бонна in our catalogue

In short

Леон Бонна's best-known piece is Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (also known as La Lutte de Jacob) (1876). Next on the list are Portrait of Isaac Dignus Fransen van de Putte (1822-1902). Colonial Minister (1863-66, 1872-74) (1879) and Self-portrait (1918) (1918). We have 141 works by Леон Бонна in our catalogue; this guide picks out the 100 best known, with the year, the museum and the story of each piece.

1833 – 1922, Байонна Academic realism Most works: Музей д’Орсе

The 10 Леон Бонна paintings to know first

2
Portrait of Isaac Dignus Fransen van de Putte (1822-1902). Colonial Minister (1863-66, 1872-74) (1879) by Леон Бонна

Portrait of Isaac Dignus Fransen van de Putte (1822-1902). Colonial Minister (1863-66, 1872-74)

1879 · Oil On Canvas · Рейксмюзеум, Амстердам

A single light source carves the face of Isaac Dignus Fransen van de Putte from a heavy, ink-black void. He sits with a rigid, vertical posture, his presence defined by the sharp contrast between a pale, starched collar and the deep shadows of his frock coat. The light catches the high ridge of his forehead and the steady gaze of a man accustomed to the gravity of statecraft. There is…

3
Self-portrait (1918) (1918) by Леон Бонна

Self-portrait (1918)

1918 · Oil On Canvas · Музей Прадо, Мадрид

An elderly man sits within a frame of shadow and light. His face, etched with the textures of many years, turns toward the right while his eyes lock onto the viewer. A white beard descends in soft, defined strokes, catching the pale light that enters from the upper left. The background is a quiet expanse of ochre, burnt sienna, and deep umber, pressing close to the subject. He wears a…

5
Portrait of a woman (1881) by Леон Бонна

Portrait of a woman

1881 · Oil On Canvas · Музей д’Орсе, Париж

A single figure stands in profile, caught in a moment of quiet stillness. The woman is draped in a gown of cool, light blue satin that catches the directional light from the upper left. This luminous fabric flows downward in heavy, sweeping folds, ending in delicate ruffles at the hem. Against the deep, warm umber and sienna tones of the background, the blue of her dress pulls the eye forward.…

6
Fruela II of Asturias (king of Asturias from 910 to 925) (1852) by Леон Бонна

Fruela II of Asturias (king of Asturias from 910 to 925)

1852 · Oil On Canvas · Музей Прадо, Мадрид

The air in the chamber feels heavy, thick with the weight of a crown and the silence of a long-passed era. Standing before us, King Fruela II of Asturias commands the space with a stillness that feels almost monumental. He is draped in a mantle of deep, saturated crimson, a color so intense it seems to pulse against the dark, shadowy void behind him. This red is not merely a…

7
John Taylor Johnston (1820–1893) (1880) by Леон Бонна

John Taylor Johnston (1820–1893)

1880 · Oil On Canvas

The room holds its breath as an elderly gentleman sits anchored in his chair. He is John Taylor Johnston, and the weight of his years settles around him in soft, muted tones. Light drifts in from the left, a gentle illumination that carves his features out of the surrounding shadows. It catches the silver of his beard and the subtle folds of his dark suit, lending a tangible volume to…

9
Levi Parsons Morton (1883) by Леон Бонна

Levi Parsons Morton

1883 · Oil On Canvas · Національна портретна галерея, Вашингтон

Léon Bonnat executed this oil on canvas in 1883, capturing the likeness of Levi Parsons Morton. The portrait presents the sitter in a formal, three-quarter length pose, establishing a sense of authority through a structured silhouette and a dark, atmospheric background. The composition focuses entirely on the subject, utilizing a directional light source from the upper left to define the facial features and hands against deep shadows.

Numbers 11 to 100: more Леон Бонна paintings

11The painter Ceferino Araujo Sánchez (1864) by Леон БоннаThe painter Ceferino Araujo Sánchez1864 · Музей Прадо 12Self-Portrait (1896) by Леон БоннаSelf-Portrait1896 · Національна галерея Праги 13Self-portrait / Portrait of a young Man (1855) by Леон БоннаSelf-portrait / Portrait of a young Man1855 · Музей д’Орсе 14Portrait of Louise Lienhard (1850) by Леон БоннаPortrait of Louise Lienhard1850 15Self-portrait at the age of 17 (1850) by Леон БоннаSelf-portrait at the age of 171850 · Musée Bonnat-Helleu 16Portrait of Marie Bonnat, the artist's sister (1851) by Леон БоннаPortrait of Marie Bonnat, the artist's sister1851 · Musée Bonnat-Helleu 17Young woman doing charity at the entrance to the chapel of San Sebastián Hospital in Cordoba (1863) by Леон БоннаYoung woman doing charity at the entrance to the chapel of San Sebastián Hospital in Cordoba1863 · Goya Museum 18Portrait of Jean Léglise, Merchant, Mayor of Saint-Martin-de-Seignanx (1868) by Леон БоннаPortrait of Jean Léglise, Merchant, Mayor of Saint-Martin-de-Seignanx1868 · Клівлендський музей мистецтва 19The victim (1870) by Леон БоннаThe victim1870 · Національний музей образотворчого мистецтва 20An Arab Sheik (1870) by Леон БоннаAn Arab Sheik1870 · Walters Art Museum 21Begging scene (1865) by Леон БоннаBegging scene1865 · Musée Bonnat-Helleu 22Portrait of an unidentified woman (1868) by Леон БоннаPortrait of an unidentified woman1868 · Музей Карнавале 23Sketch for the ceiling of the courtroom of the Cour des Assises of the Palais de Justice in Paris: Justice (1869) by Леон БоннаSketch for the ceiling of the courtroom of the Cour des Assises of the Palais de Justice in Paris: Justice1869 · Petit Palais 24Sketch for the courtroom of the Cour des Assises of the Palais de Justice in Paris: Justice protecting the weak (1866) by Леон БоннаSketch for the courtroom of the Cour des Assises of the Palais de Justice in Paris: Justice protecting the weak1866 · Petit Palais 25An oriental barbershop (1872) by Леон БоннаAn oriental barbershop1872 · Державний музей образотворчого мистецтва імені А.С. Пушкіна 26Adolphe Thiers (1876) by Леон БоннаAdolphe Thiers1876 27Portrait of Marguerite Franchetti (1875) by Леон БоннаPortrait of Marguerite Franchetti1875 · Musée Bonnat-Helleu 28Victor Hugo on his deathbed (1885) by Леон БоннаVictor Hugo on his deathbed1885 · Musée Victor Hugo 29Louisa Lee Schuyler (1879) by Леон БоннаLouisa Lee Schuyler1879 · New York Historical Society 30Precious Moments (1880) by Леон БоннаPrecious Moments1880 · Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA 31Portrait of George Aloysius Lucas (1885) by Леон БоннаPortrait of George Aloysius Lucas1885 · Walters Art Museum 32Portrait de Monseigneur Félix-Arsène Billard (1883) by Леон БоннаPortrait de Monseigneur Félix-Arsène Billard1883 33Italian Girl (1880) by Леон БоннаItalian Girl1880 · Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute 34Don't cry (1879) by Леон БоннаDon't cry1879 · Музей искусств Мульхауза 35George Lee Schuyler (1811-1890) (1883) by Леон БоннаGeorge Lee Schuyler (1811-1890)1883 · New York Historical Society 36Portrait of Madame Georges Ehrler (1880) by Леон БоннаPortrait of Madame Georges Ehrler1880 · Petit Palais 37John Taylor Johnston (1820 1893) (1880) by Леон БоннаJohn Taylor Johnston (1820 1893)1880 · Метрополітен-музей 38Interior of the Sistine Chapel (1880) by Леон БоннаInterior of the Sistine Chapel1880 39Ernest Renan (1892) by Леон БоннаErnest Renan1892 40Anna L. R. S. Morton (1884) by Леон БоннаAnna L. R. S. Morton1884 · Національна портретна галерея 41Portrait of Henry Field (1896) by Леон БоннаPortrait of Henry Field1896 · Art Institute of Chicago 42Portrait of Auguste Cain (1889) by Леон БоннаPortrait of Auguste Cain1889 · Petit Palais 43Portrait of Henri Harpignies (1889) by Леон БоннаPortrait of Henri Harpignies1889 · Petit Palais 44Job (1888) by Леон БоннаJob1888 45Portrait of Aimilia Salvagou (1894) by Леон БоннаPortrait of Aimilia Salvagou1894 · Національна галерея 46Henry Lillie Pierce (1895) by Леон БоннаHenry Lillie Pierce1895 · Музей образотв мистецтв 47George Martin Lane (1823-1897) (1894) by Леон БоннаGeorge Martin Lane (1823-1897)1894 · Harvard Art Museums 48Portrait of Prince Viacheslav Tenishev (1896) by Леон БоннаPortrait of Prince Viacheslav Tenishev1896 · Державний музей-заповідник «Ермітаж» 49The broken pitcher (version with ciocie) (1900) by Леон БоннаThe broken pitcher (version with ciocie)1900 50The broken pitcher (barefoot version) (1900) by Леон БоннаThe broken pitcher (barefoot version)1900 51A little accident (1900) by Леон БоннаA little accident1900 52Portrait de Madame Dubernet by Léon Bonnat (1899) by Леон БоннаPortrait de Madame Dubernet by Léon Bonnat1899 · Petit Palais 53An Egyptian Peasant Woman and Her Child (1869) by Леон БоннаAn Egyptian Peasant Woman and Her Child1869 · Метрополітен-музей 54Portrait of Charles Ephrussi (1906) by Леон БоннаPortrait of Charles Ephrussi1906 55Portrait of Georges Cain (1853-1919), painter and literary man (1909) by Леон БоннаPortrait of Georges Cain (1853-1919), painter and literary man1909 · Музей Карнавале 56Christ on the Cross by Леон БоннаChrist on the CrossPetit Palais 57Jules Grévy (1880) by Леон БоннаJules Grévy1880 58Head of a White Horse (1850) by Леон БоннаHead of a White Horse1850 · Шотландська національна галерея 59Kneeling girl in prayer (study for ^quot;Pilgrims at the Foot of the Statue of Saint Peter in Saint Peter's Church in Rome^quot;) (1864) by Леон БоннаKneeling girl in prayer (study for ^quot;Pilgrims at the Foot of the Statue of Saint Peter in Saint Peter's Church in Rome^quot;)1864 60An Egyptian Peasant Woman and Her Child (1869) by Леон БоннаAn Egyptian Peasant Woman and Her Child1869 61An Egyptian Peasant Woman and Her Child (1870) by Леон БоннаAn Egyptian Peasant Woman and Her Child1870 62Fountain by the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome (1868) by Леон БоннаFountain by the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome1868 · Державний музей-заповідник «Ермітаж» 63Madame Pasca (1874) by Леон БоннаMadame Pasca1874 · Музей д’Орсе 64Italian Woman with Child (1872) by Леон БоннаItalian Woman with Child1872 · Musée Bonnat-Helleu 65Léon Gambetta (1875) by Леон БоннаLéon Gambetta1875 · Музей д’Орсе 66Mary Sears (later Mrs. Francis Shaw) (1878) by Леон БоннаMary Sears (later Mrs. Francis Shaw)1878 · Музей образотв мистецтв 67Henry White (1882) by Леон БоннаHenry White1882 · Національна галерея мистецтв 68Jean Gigoux (1880) by Леон БоннаJean Gigoux1880 · Musée Des Beaux 69In the Mountains (1879) by Леон БоннаIn the Mountains1879 · Державний музей-заповідник «Ермітаж» 70Sketch for the Salon des Arts at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris: The glorification of Art (1888) by Леон БоннаSketch for the Salon des Arts at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris: The glorification of Art1888 · Petit Palais 71French priest Pierre Bienvenu Noailles (1889) by Леон БоннаFrench priest Pierre Bienvenu Noailles1889 72Joseph Dreyfus (1890) by Леон БоннаJoseph Dreyfus1890 73Idylle (1890) by Леон БоннаIdylle1890 · Musée Bonnat-Helleu 74Pasteur and his granddaughter Camille Vallery-Radot (1886) by Леон БоннаPasteur and his granddaughter Camille Vallery-Radot1886 · Musée Pasteur 75The Hand of Antoine-Louis Barye (1897) by Леон БоннаThe Hand of Antoine-Louis Barye1897 · Walters Art Museum 76Eagle and Rabbit (1897) by Леон БоннаEagle and Rabbit1897 77Portrait du docteur Adrien Doyon by Леон БоннаPortrait du docteur Adrien Doyon 78Portrait de Joseph Reinach (1856 1921) by Леон БоннаPortrait de Joseph Reinach (1856 1921)Musée d'Art Moderne et Contemporain de Strasbourg 79JULES GREVY, PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE (1807 1891) by Леон БоннаJULES GREVY, PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE (1807 1891) 80LEON GAMBETTA (1838 1892) by Леон БоннаLEON GAMBETTA (1838 1892) 81ALEXANDRE DUMAS FILS (1824 1895) by Леон БоннаALEXANDRE DUMAS FILS (1824 1895)Музей д’Орсе 82LOUIS ADOLPHE THIERS, PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE (1797 1877) by Леон БоннаLOUIS ADOLPHE THIERS, PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE (1797 1877) 83MADAME PASCA by Леон БоннаMADAME PASCA 84ISAAC PEREIRE (1806 1880) by Леон БоннаISAAC PEREIRE (1806 1880) 85Victor Hugo (1802 1885) by Леон БоннаVictor Hugo (1802 1885)Musée Victor Hugo 86Le cardinal Charles Lavigerie, archevêque d'Alger (1825 1892) by Леон БоннаLe cardinal Charles Lavigerie, archevêque d'Alger (1825 1892)Музей д’Орсе 87BERNIER LOUIS by Леон БоннаBERNIER LOUISМузей Конде 88Autoportrait by Леон БоннаAutoportrait 89JOSEPH DREYFUS by Леон БоннаJOSEPH DREYFUSМузей д’Орсе 90Portrait de Monsieur Cernuschi by Леон БоннаPortrait de Monsieur CernuschiMusée Cernuschi 91Maître Edouard Pascal by Леон БоннаMaître Edouard Pascal 92PORTRAIT DE L'ARTISTE by Леон БоннаPORTRAIT DE L'ARTISTEМузей д’Орсе 93LA MARQUISE FEYDEAU DE BROU by Леон БоннаLA MARQUISE FEYDEAU DE BROUМузей д’Орсе 94Portrait de Louis Hector Leroux by Леон БоннаPortrait de Louis Hector Leroux 95Portrait de M. Daniel Guestier by Леон БоннаPortrait de M. Daniel Guestier 96Portrait du Vicomte Both de Tauzia by Леон БоннаPortrait du Vicomte Both de Tauzia 97Madame Maurice Pascal et son chien Tiny by Леон БоннаMadame Maurice Pascal et son chien Tiny 98PORTRAIT DU GENERAL HENRI D'ORLEANS, DUC D'AUMALE (1880) by Леон БоннаPORTRAIT DU GENERAL HENRI D'ORLEANS, DUC D'AUMALE (1880)Музей Конде 99MADAME BONNAT by Леон БоннаMADAME BONNAT 100PORTRAIT DE L'ARTISTE AU CHAPEAU by Леон БоннаPORTRAIT DE L'ARTISTE AU CHAPEAUМузей д’Орсе

What Леон Бонна painted most

The four subjects that come up most often in these pieces, each with its best-known example.

Where you can see Леон Бонна's paintings

The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.

Museum City Works by Леон Бонна Paintings from this list
Музей д’Орсе, ПарижМузей д’Орсе Париж 15 Portrait of a woman, Portrait of the count of Montalivet, Self-portrait / Portrait of a young Man
Petit Palais, ПарижPetit Palais Париж 8 Sketch for the ceiling of the courtroom of the Cour des Assises of the Palais de Justice in Paris: Justice, Sketch for the courtroom of the Cour des Assises of the Palais de Justice in Paris: Justice protecting the weak, Portrait of Madame Georges Ehrler
Musée Bonnat-Helleu, BayonneMusée Bonnat-Helleu Bayonne 7 Self-portrait at the age of 17, Portrait of Marie Bonnat, the artist's sister, Begging scene
Walters Art Museum, БалтиморWalters Art Museum Балтимор 6 An Arab Sheik, Portrait of George Aloysius Lucas, The Hand of Antoine-Louis Barye
Державний музей-заповідник «Ермітаж», Санкт-ПетербургДержавний музей-заповідник «Ермітаж» Санкт-Петербург 4 Portrait of Prince Viacheslav Tenishev, Fountain by the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome, In the Mountains
Музей Прадо, МадридМузей Прадо Мадрид 3 Self-portrait (1918), Fruela II of Asturias (king of Asturias from 910 to 925), The painter Ceferino Araujo Sánchez
Метрополітен-музей, Нью-ЙоркМетрополітен-музей Нью-Йорк 3 John Taylor Johnston (1820 1893), An Egyptian Peasant Woman and Her Child
Музей Конде, ШантійМузей Конде Шантій 3 BERNIER LOUIS, PORTRAIT DU GENERAL HENRI D'ORLEANS, DUC D'AUMALE (1880)

Decade by decade: the best-known Леон Бонна piece of each

Works per decade

Pick a decade to see its standout piece.

Леон Бонна: quick answers about the paintings

What is Леон Бонна's best-known painting?See the answer

Top of the list is Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (also known as La Lutte de Jacob) (1876). Right behind it: Portrait of Isaac Dignus Fransen van de Putte (1822-1902). Colonial Minister (1863-66, 1872-74) (1879) and Self-portrait (1918) (1918).

What age was Леон Бонна when creating Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (also known as La Lutte de Jacob)?See the answer

43 years old. Леон Бонна was born in 1833, and Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (also known as La Lutte de Jacob) dates from 1876.

What are Леон Бонна's top 10 paintings?See the answer

Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (also known as La Lutte de Jacob), Portrait of Isaac Dignus Fransen van de Putte (1822-1902). Colonial Minister (1863-66, 1872-74), Self-portrait (1918), ADAM ET EVE TROUVANT LE CORPS D'ABEL, Portrait of a woman, Fruela II of Asturias (king of Asturias from 910 to 925), John Taylor Johnston (1820–1893), Portrait of the count of Montalivet, Levi Parsons Morton and The Martyrdom of Saint Denis (also known as Martyr de Saint Denis). You'll find the year and the museum of each in the list above.

How many works by Леон Бонна are in your catalogue?See the answer

We have 141 works by Леон Бонна in our catalogue, dated 1850 to 1918.

In which museums can you see Леон Бонна's famous works?See the answer

You'll find most of them in Музей д’Орсе (Париж), Petit Palais (Париж) and Musée Bonnat-Helleu (Bayonne). The museum list above has the full breakdown.

When did Леон Бонна make the most famous pieces?See the answer

In 1880s, more than any other time: 22 of the 100 pieces on this page date from then, Portrait of a woman among them.

What are Леон Бонна's first and last famous pieces?See the answer

The earliest piece here is Portrait of Louise Lienhard (1850); the most recent is Self-portrait (1918) (1918).

Which subjects did Леон Бонна paint most often?See the answer

Man (10), Portrait (6) and Dark background (5), out of the 100 pieces on this page.

Which medium shows up most in Леон Бонна's paintings?See the answer

Oil On Canvas, used in 13 of the 100 pieces on this page.

What style or movement is Леон Бонна known for?See the answer

Academic realism and Realism, as you can see in the pieces on this page.

Which famous Леон Бонна paintings are at the Музей д’Орсе?See the answer

You can see 11 of the pieces on this page at the Музей д’Орсе, Париж, including Portrait of a woman, Portrait of the count of Montalivet and Self-portrait / Portrait of a young Man.

Where can I order a Леон Бонна reproduction?See the answer

Yes. Every painting on this page is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print, in the size that suits you. Just open the painting's page to order.

Леон Бонна's story

Léon Joseph Florentin Bonnat: Life and Legacy

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Léon Joseph Florentin Bonnat was born in Bayonne, France, in 1833 and passed away in 1922. His early life took an interesting turn when his family moved to Madrid in 1846, where his father established a bookshop. This relocation proved pivotal for the young Bonnat’s artistic development. While assisting in the shop, he diligently copied engravings of works by Old Masters, fostering a deep passion for drawing and laying the foundation for his future career. He received formal training under Madrazo in Madrid before returning to Paris.

Training and Influences

In Paris, Bonnat sought further refinement of his skills, studying under prominent history painters Paul Delaroche and Léon Cogniet. Despite several attempts, he was not immediately accepted into the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts through the Prix de Rome competition. However, a scholarship from Bayonne enabled him to spend three years in Rome (1858–60), an experience that profoundly shaped his artistic vision. During this period, he forged friendships with fellow artists like Edgar Degas, Gustave Moreau, and sculptor Henri Chapu. Bonnat’s style was heavily influenced by the Spanish masters – particularly Velázquez and Jusepe de Ribera – as well as artists like Titian and Van Dyck, whose works he meticulously studied in the Prado Museum.

Artistic Development and Style

Bonnat quickly established himself as a leading portraitist in Paris, consistently receiving commissions. His portraits reflect the influence of his admired Spanish predecessors, characterized by realism, dramatic lighting, and psychological depth. He also explored religious themes and genre paintings depicting Italian peasants, and occasionally ventured into Orientalist scenes. Bonnat’s work is marked by a stark naturalism and a lack of excessive surface finish, qualities praised by critics like Théophile Gautier, who contrasted him favorably with the more polished style of Bouguereau.

Major Achievements and Recognition

Bonnat achieved significant recognition throughout his career. He received a Medal of Honor in Paris in 1869 and was appointed Grand Officer of the Légion d'honneur. In 1882, he became a professor at the École des Beaux-Arts, where he mentored numerous aspiring artists, including John Singer Sargent, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Gustave Caillebotte. He eventually succeeded Paul Dubois as director of the École in 1905. Bonnat’s teaching philosophy emphasized simplicity, overall effect, and rigorous drawing skills. His most important works include religious paintings such as *Christ on the Cross*, *Job*, and *St Vincent taking the place of two galley slaves*.

Historical Significance and Legacy

Bonnat occupied a unique position within the art world of his time, bridging the gap between academic painting and the emerging Impressionist movement. He was a member of the Institute, holding administrative power over the Academy and École des Beaux-Arts. Despite this affiliation with traditional institutions, he supported independent artists like Edgar Degas, Auguste Rodin, and even defended Gustave Courbet’s submissions to the Salon. In a testament to his gratitude for early support, Bonnat founded the Musée Bonnat in his hometown of Bayonne, housing an exceptional collection of Old Master drawings alongside his own works. His legacy endures through his paintings, his influential teaching career, and the museum he established, preserving artistic heritage for future generations.

Notable Works

All 141 works by Леон Бонна →