Terms and conditions of use
Polar bear
(Ours blanc)
(1925); cast (c. 1933)
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with the assistance of the proceeds of the 2008 National Gallery of Victoria Annual Dinner, 2007
- Gallery location
- Mid 20th Century Paintings & Decorative Arts Gallery
Level 2, NGV International
About this work
After spending much of his career as a sculptor’s assistant, François Pompon turned his attention to animalier sculpture, and in 1922 he began a life-size polar bear in plaster. Sleek, subtly modelled and devoid of all non-essential detail, the work was hailed as a masterpiece of modern sculpture. At the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, a small bronze version of the polar bear was exhibited and met with overnight success. Typical of Pompon’s animal sculptures, this work portrays the essential character of the animal, exhibiting a balance of simplicity and humanity. Pompon manages to capture what might be described as the private life of the animal.
Artwork Details
cast in left side l.c.: CIRE (IR underlined) / CVALSUANI (LS underlined) / PERDUE
Purchased with the assistance of the proceeds of the 2008 National Gallery of Victoria Annual Dinner, 2007
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited
Level 2, NGV International