Joachim-Raphaël Boronali

In 1910, a painting titled "Sunset Over the Adriatic" was exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants. The painting was attributed to a fictitious Italian painter named Joachim-Raphaël Boronali. The truth was, the painting was created by a donkey named Lolo. Roland Dorgelès, a writer and critic, had tied a paintbrush to the donkey's tail and let him create the painting. The painting sold for 400 francs (~ $1200 in 2020 value) and was donated by Dorgelès to the Orphelinat des Arts. The painting forms part of the permanent collection at l'Espace culturel Paul Bédu (Milly-la-Forêt). This is a true story about a donkey who became an artist. It is a story about creativity, imagination, and the power of art.