19th Century Grand Tour Bronze Group of Whippets on Marble Base, Circa 1890

Details

Description

A refined Grand Tour bronze group depicting two affectionate whippets, French, late 19th century, modeled with elegant naturalism and subtle … Read more A refined Grand Tour bronze group depicting two affectionate whippets, French, late 19th century, modeled with elegant naturalism and subtle emotional depth. One hound sits with quiet poise, while the other leans tenderly against its companion, paw resting gently upon the other’s shoulder in a gesture of companionship and repose. The artist’s delicate handling of proportion and surface texture captures the breed’s characteristic slender grace and taut musculature.

The bronze retains a rich olive-brown patina with warm undertones, accentuating the anatomical modeling and soft planes of the figures. The sculpture is mounted on a two-tier marble plinth composed of a rectangular block of red marble resting on a molded black marble base—an aesthetic choice consistent with the presentation standards of fine Parisian foundries catering to the 19th-century Grand Tour clientele.

This composition exemplifies the Romantic animalier sensibility that flourished in France during the later decades of the century, recalling the works of Pierre-Jules Mêne and Emmanuel Frémiet. Created as a souvenir of cultural refinement and connoisseurship, the piece reflects the enduring appeal of canine subjects as symbols of fidelity, grace, and civilized domesticity.

Measurements: 4.25 in h x 3.375 in w x 2.625 in d. See less