Rembrandt Bugatti

Galerie A.A. Hébrard, Paris

M. Payet, Lyon (acquired from the above)

Sale: Camard & Associés, Paris, June 14, 2007, lot 66

Sladmore Galleries, London (acquired at the above sale)

Acquired from the above 

Jacques-Chalom Des Cordes & Véronique Fromanger Des Cordes, Rembrandt Bugatti: Catalogue raisonné, Paris, 1987, illustration of another cast p. 123 (titled Panthère moustachue feulant)

Edward Horswell, Rembrandt Bugatti, Life in Sculpture, London, 2004, illustration of another cast p. 175

Véronique Fromanger, Rembrandt Bugatti, sculpteur, répetoire monographique, Paris, 2009, no. 201, illustrations of another cast pp. 154 & 299

Excellent condition. The bronze displays a uniform dark brown patina. No scratches, corrosion or abrasions were found on the surface. The sculpture is clean and structurally sound.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Bugatti's impressive rendering of the elegant panther captures the animal in all its majesty.  With its back arched and head angled as it growls, the animal poses with a ferocity befitting this extraordinary jungle cat.  Bugatti has paid careful attention to his modeling the perfectly groomed mane of the animal, which frames the creatures face in angular planes, and the well-defined musculature of his hindquarters. 

Véronique Fromanger has written the following about this impressive sculpture in her catalogue raisonné: "The panther (or leopard) is a solitary animal, which only reproduces once a year. Better than any other big cat, the panther is well adapted to living in close proximity to man. La "Panthère grognant" displays the posture of an aggressive male; it is the only time that a panther exhibiting threatening behaviour is modelled by Bugatti. The panther brings its hind legs together with the effort and its facial expression reveals its mood: the ears are turned back, the thick whiskers raised and the jaw held wide open as he emits a low growl.  The intensity of this undulating almost resonant position and the vigour of his modelling – the surface being worked with large flat thumb strokes – mean that Bugatti achieves a certain climax in his rhythmic analysis and the expressive behaviour of his big cats.  The physical positions of the big cats and the sounds emitted resemble a repertoire of signals enabling them to communicate. Konrad Lorenz considered that few animals expressed their "mood" as prominently in order to reduce the risk of injury and a fatal encounter. The big cat's face unquestionably reveals his thoughts and his next move, while the majority of animals attempt to conceal their "intentions" from their rival, thus retaining their advantage if conflict occurs" (V. Fromanger, op. cit., p. 154).