Edgar Degas (1834 – 1917)

A Horse Trotting Paris, Model: late 1880s, Cast: Hébrard foundry, Paris, 1919-21 Bronze 23.0 x 8.4 x 22.5 cm Degas’ interest in horses is evidenced by his numerous paintings with racecourse subjects, such as the Barber’s magnificent ‘Jockeys Before the Race’ of c.1878-79. This model may have been inspired by a photograph of ‘The Trot’ by … Read more

EDGAR DEGAS (1834-1917)

Grande Arabesque, Third Time Paris, Model: about 1885-90; Cast: 1919-21 Bronze 44.5 x 55.3 x 29 cm Ballet dancers are Degas’ most famous subject matter, and he was clearly fascinated by the endless variety of their poses. This engaging study of concentration is the culmination of a series of three that show one of the … Read more

JEAN (HANS) ARP (1886-1966)

Homme vu par une fleur (Man Seen by a Flower) Meudon, France, 1958 Bronze 6 x 12.4 x 11 cm There is no primary point of view for this curious and tactile little sculpture, best appreciated when turned in the hand. While it is essentially an abstract or non-representative object, the playful title suggests something … Read more

Peter Anton von Verschaffelt (1710-1793)

A Rhinoceros called ‘Miss Clara’ (1738-1758) Bronze, Model and Cast: Perhaps Mannheim, Germany, about 1770 24.5 x 46.7 x 15 cm Plinth: 4 x 33 x 7.5 cm An enterprising Dutch sea captain, Douwe Mout van der Meer (1705-?), brought a young Indian rhinoceros to the Netherlands in 1741 and then toured her extensively across … Read more

EDGAR DEGAS (1834-1917)

Dancer ready to dance, the right foot forward Paris, Model: about 1885-90; Cast: 1919-21 Bronze 56.5 x 32.2 x 21.5 cm This figure is one of more than 30 studies made of ballerinas by Degas, his favourite subject matter. The pose suggests a ballerina in class or on the stage, and was probably inspired by dancers … Read more

Auguste Rodin (1840 – 1917)

The Age of Bronze Model: Brussels, Belgium, 1877; Cast: Paris, probably before 1917  Bronze 180.5 x 68.5 x 54.5 cm In its earliest form the man held a spear in his left hand. The figure was titled The Vanquished in reference to France’s painful defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870–1). Rodin changed the title to … Read more