19th C. French Patinated Bronze Horse Sculpture on Marble Base Signed C. Fratin

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This elegant antique bronze sculpture depicts a finely modeled horse standing at rest and is signed Christophe Fratin, one of … Read more This elegant antique bronze sculpture depicts a finely modeled horse standing at rest and is signed Christophe Fratin, one of the most celebrated French animalier sculptors of the 19th century. Executed with exceptional anatomical precision and quiet naturalism, the figure captures the strength, balance, and alert posture that define Fratin’s masterful equine studies. The horse stands on a rectangular bronze plinth mounted to a dark marble base, lending the composition architectural presence and visual weight.
The heavy 86 pound bronze is finished with a rich, warm brown patina, subtly nuanced to accentuate musculature and refined surface modeling. The sculpture is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, with light rubbing to the patina, minor surface impressions, and small flecks of verdigris consistent with age and handling.
Christophe Fratin (1801–1864) was a pivotal figure in the French Romantic and Animalier movements. A student of Théodore Géricault, Fratin exhibited regularly at the Paris Salon beginning in 1831 and gained international recognition for his expressive depictions of animals, particularly horses, stags, and hunting subjects. His work played a central role in elevating animal sculpture to a respected academic genre in 19th-century France. Fratin is listed in the Bénézit Dictionary of Artists, confirming his lasting importance within the canon of French sculpture.
This refined antique bronze would make a distinguished addition to a library, study, or equestrian-themed interior, and pairs beautifully with both classical and transitional décor.
Dimensions: 25 W × 31 D × 9 H See less