Animal Sculpture Of A Bulldog In Action, Bronze With Brown Patina, 19th Century

Alexandre Léonard was a French sculptor born in 1821 and died in 1877. Very quickly, he specialized in animal sculpture, working in bronze or patinated wax. He captured and froze, through his sculptures, animals in their natural habitat, as well as in their daily actions: walking, hunting, etc. He almost brings his subjects to life by sculpting them in movement, and not in a static waiting position. Observing to capture reality Alexandre Léonard was inspired by one of his masters: Barye. Antoine Louis Barye was a French sculptor and painter renowned for his animal sculptures. Placed at a very young age by Fourier, a steel engraver, he learned all the practices of metal, its different treatments, and became an outstanding chaser. He spent a large part of his time at the menagerie of the Museum of Natural History in Paris to study animals and observe their positions, actions and behaviors. He introduced Alexandre Léonard to the study and observation of animals to break with the idealization of their postures and behaviors. Observe to learn, to know, then to better represent. At least, to represent as close as possible to reality. Alexandre Léonard is noted for the movements and realism of his sculptures. He can be considered a romantic artist, placing nature at the center of his works, but also as an artist close to the artistic movement of exoticism, dreaming of travel and oriental animals. Beautiful bronze sculpture with brown patina. This example of a bulldog in action perfectly reflects Leonardo's work. Good condition. Length: 20 cm Height: 9 cm For all information, telephone contact desired. Thank you for your visit.