In the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, animal sculpture aroused the enthusiasm of a large public of amateurs. Even today, many people appreciate the bronzes, terracottas, plasters and marbles of the artists of this period, which sell like hot cakes. Demand is such that supply sometimes has difficulty keeping up and prices continue to rise for beautiful pieces.
There are, however, numerous sculptors. Among the best known are, for the 19th century, Antoine-Louis Barye, Pierre-Jules Mène, Christophe Fratin and Emmanuel Frémiet. But those from the first half of the 20th century, such as Armand Petersen, François Pompon, Edouard-Marcel Sandoz, Georges-Lucien Guyot and Roger Godchaux are the most appreciated.
Rembrandt Bugatti (1884-1916), who spent entire days at the Antwerp zoo or at the menagerie of the Jardin des Plantes in Paris to observe the animals, is the most sought after and the most popular of them. His bronzes often fetch several hundred thousand euros. But the one that will be sold on June 5 by Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr is exceptional and should shatter the artist’s record, set at 2.5 million euros for a baboon. It is a unique piece, large in size – 150 centimeters long – and the only one in its repertoire to represent three panthers. Hence a substantial estimate of 3.5 to 5.5 million euros, which will certainly not deter collectors with well-stocked wallets.