catalog text
PIERRE LENORDEZ
French, 1815-1892
A Halting Stallion
Patinated sand-cast bronze | Signed in cast "P. Lenordez" | cast circa 1860
Item # 306GRT17P
A rare example of Pierre Lenordez's early work, this fine sand-cast bronze model of a halting stallion showcases the powerful animal as he is stopping his forward motion, rearing slightly as he shifts his weight to his back legs. The model is beautifully chased and a wonderful hammered texture to the hair and texture from the original wax mold replicated in the bronze under the translucent brown surface patina. The model is signed on the back corner of the naturalistic base in his typical script, "P. Lenordez".
Born in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, in the district of Manche in northwestern France, Pierre Lenordez eventually established himself in Caen where he would become a professor and teach at the Fine Arts Academy of Caen for a decade, accepting under his tutelage the Romantic sculptor of renown Arthur Jacques Leduc during his tenure there, while building a lasting reputation as an Animalier.
His speciality was horses, an animal he came to master to such a degree that he wrote a book on the topic published in 1886 titled "The Horse". He would also produce some figurative statues, including his 1887 exhibition of "Esclave et Sultane Fuyant du Sérail" and a few models of other animals, but it was for his equestrian models that he became famous and remains an important contributor to this day. He debuted at the Paris Salon in 1855, continuing to exhibit there regularly through 1877 where he showed a long series of winners of major horse races or sires of important blood lines, these usually fashioned with descriptive details on a blanket or towel situated on the base of the sculpture.
Much of his work was cast by the foundries Duplan et Salles and Boyer, with some being cast by the small (and exceedingly skilled) foundry of Graux-Marly.
Artist Listings & Bibliography:
- Dictionnaire des Sculpteurs de l'École Française, Vol. III, Lami, p. 315
- E. Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Vol. VIII, Gründ, 2006, p. 832-833
- Bronzes of the 19th Century: Dictionary of Sculptors, Kjellberg, 1994, p. 427-428
Measurements: 10 1/2" W (at widest), 10" W (base) x 4 3/8" D (base) x 8 3/4" H
Condition Report:
Open and ever-so-slightly loose seam at horse's neck, a foundry joint that has loosened over time. We have carefully examined this and determined that, though possible, it is not wise to restore this joint as the risk is too high and the visual impact of the open seam is quite minimal. Trace white mark on inside of horse's back leg. General handling wear to the original patina throughout with rubbing through the much darker original patina to the lower layers of patination in the haunches, saddle and other points of handling. Carefully cleaned and polished. A fine presentation.