Two Panthers in Combat

A student of Aimé Millet and Frémiet at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Gardet quickly established himself as one of the leading French animalier sculptors of his time. He was recognized for his exceptionally naturalistic style as well as for his realistically designed animal groupings which he executed in bronze or marble. Some of his successful groupings have also been replicated by the Sèvres porcelain factory, and most common are his pieces in semi-precious and colored stones.

There is a large outdoor sculpture group entitled Tiger and Tigress placed in the park of chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte, and the large stone group entitled Lion à l'enfant on the right bank of the Pont Alexandre III are alse by Georges Gardet.

The marble version of the present lot is in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and is entitled Panthéres.