catalog text
EMMANUEL FREMIET (FRENCH, 1824-1910) BRONZE SCULPTURE OF A RESTING FOX
"Renard d'Egypte"; signed on the naturalistic base "E. Fremiet"
Item # 502QPU14A
A very striking study of a fox, this is the only model of a fox produced by Emmanuel Fremiet who characterizes the animal in his typical playful and lighthearted manner. "Renard d'Egypte" captures a slinky and restive fox in a moment of repose, though the anxious animal can never quite seem to be totally at peace - he appears crouched and ready in a moments notice to spring forward. A removal from the typical depiction of a wily creature, this fox is majestic and confident with an intelligence cast in his features that is difficult to isolate and capture as an artist. The patina is complex with a wonderful range of golds beneath a warm brown.
It remains an exquisite selection for any serious collector of animalier sculptures. A rather rare object, this model is very infrequently found on the open market and remains in pristine original condition.
References and Literature:
- Animals in Bronze, Christopher Payne
- Bronze Sculpture of Les Animaliers, Jane Horswell, p. 181-200
- Bronzes of the Nineteenth Century: Dictionary of Sculptors, Pierre Kjellberg, p. 334 noting "Renard" as a model of 8 x 19 cm
- The Animaliers, James Mackay, p. 39-45
Measurements: 3 1/4" H x 3" D x 7 5/16" L