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Lot Essay
Véronique Fromanger has confirmed the authenticity of this work.
Known to be progressive for its time, the Antwerp zoo loaned Bugatti two of their antelopes who travelled to Paris to live with him in his studio. During their stay, Bugatti cared for and tended to the animals’ every need. In looking after them, he was able to study every element of the antelopes which resulted in a greater understanding of not only their physical characteristics but also their individual personalities and relationship to one another. Consequently, Bugatti was perhaps one of the first sculptors to place great emphasis on the individual personality of the animal. As Rungwe Kingdon explains, “In the late nineteenth century, animals and birds were commonly believed to respond only by base instinct; one antelope was thought to behave in precisely the same way as any other.” (“Rembrandt Bugatti, Pairs and Associations” in Rembrandt Bugatti: Emotions in Bronze, The Sladmore Gallery, London, 2013, p. 12) Therefore, in countering the assumption that all species adopted the same habits and behaviors, Bugatti was able to convey their true nature in his work. This is clear when looking at Petites Antilopes Goudou who, caught in a moment of affection, caringly nudge the heads of one another. The interaction is not staged or exaggerated, but instead a true representation of how two animals would greet, interact with and respond to one another. The result is a sculpture that superbly captures not only the various nuances of the animal’s anatomy—their spindly legs, newly grown fur, pricked ears and habitual postures—but also one that reminds us that we share many of the same traits as them when it comes to social interaction.
Known to be progressive for its time, the Antwerp zoo loaned Bugatti two of their antelopes who travelled to Paris to live with him in his studio. During their stay, Bugatti cared for and tended to the animals’ every need. In looking after them, he was able to study every element of the antelopes which resulted in a greater understanding of not only their physical characteristics but also their individual personalities and relationship to one another. Consequently, Bugatti was perhaps one of the first sculptors to place great emphasis on the individual personality of the animal. As Rungwe Kingdon explains, “In the late nineteenth century, animals and birds were commonly believed to respond only by base instinct; one antelope was thought to behave in precisely the same way as any other.” (“Rembrandt Bugatti, Pairs and Associations” in Rembrandt Bugatti: Emotions in Bronze, The Sladmore Gallery, London, 2013, p. 12) Therefore, in countering the assumption that all species adopted the same habits and behaviors, Bugatti was able to convey their true nature in his work. This is clear when looking at Petites Antilopes Goudou who, caught in a moment of affection, caringly nudge the heads of one another. The interaction is not staged or exaggerated, but instead a true representation of how two animals would greet, interact with and respond to one another. The result is a sculpture that superbly captures not only the various nuances of the animal’s anatomy—their spindly legs, newly grown fur, pricked ears and habitual postures—but also one that reminds us that we share many of the same traits as them when it comes to social interaction.