“Still Life on White” – One of a Kind Wall Art Composition of Decorative Plates and Painting

Details Details Close Description After Christophe Fratin (French 1801-1864), a majestic 12 point stag in brown patinated cast bronze, modeled with head turned to towards hind, inscribed “FRATIN”, and mounted to a red marble plinth. The stag is resting while grooming. A native of Metz, where he was born in 1801, Fratin first apprenticed with his father, a taxidermist, until about 1821, after which he shifted to a career in sculpture. He studied in his home city with sculptor Charles Augustin Pioche (1762-1839), then went to Paris and worked in the studio of Théodore Gericault, the only master he listed in the entries for his works in the Salon catalogues of the 1860s, where that information was required. He made his debut with several wax models, of a thoroughbred horse and several dogs, in the Salon of 1831. Fratin received several commissions for public sculpture in Paris and in the United States; a bronze group of two eagles and their prey is in Central Park in New York. The government also commissioned small works that were deposited throughout France in provincial museums, including Metz. The English market in particular favored Fratin’s work. The sculptor commissioned established founders to execute the serial versions of his models. In general, his subject matter involves a wide range of domestic and wild mammals. Human themes, modern, mythological, or historical, are documented but are rarely seen today. Fratin was celebrated for his lively anthropomorphic narrative subjects using animals. Called a modern “La Fontaine” in one of his own sales catalogues, Fratin was seen to have achieved a modern anti-heroic art in this popular form through its appeal to middle-class interests, its subtle expression, vigorous modeling, and high-quality foundrywork. Dimensions: 12″h x 14″l x 6.5″w (bronze) 12.75″h x 15″l x 7.5″w (including marble plinth) Condition: Good, patina well preserved. Provenance: A private NJ collection. less DIMENSIONS 15ʺW × 7.5ʺD × 12.75ʺH STYLES Traditional ART SUBJECTS Animals PERIOD 19th Century COUNTRY OF ORIGIN France ITEM TYPE Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned MATERIALS BronzeMarble CONDITION Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections COLOR Bronze TEAR SHEET CONDITION NOTES Good, patina well preserved. See less