Terms and conditions of use
Polar bear
(Ours blanc)
(1925); cast (c. 1933)
Medium
bronze
Measurements
24.2 × 44.3 × 11.6 cm
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
Place/s of Execution
Paris, France
Inscription
cast in rear l.r.: POMPON
cast in left side l.c.: CIRE (IR underlined) / CVALSUANI (LS underlined) / PERDUE
Accession Number
2007.446
Department
International Sculpture
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Dame Carol Colburn-Grigor CBE through Metal Manufactures Limited