
Michael Lake
Head of Department
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Sold for £4,462.50 inc. premium
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Head of Department
Primarily known as a painter, Gélibert won medals from 1869-1900, including bronze medals at the Expositions Universelle of 1889 and 1900.
The vogue for animalier portraiture in France in the late 19th century was encouraged by royal patronage and is illustrated with Carpeaux's celebrated portrait of the Prince Imperial with his dog Nero, Frémiet's depiction of Napoleon III's hounds 'Ravageot' and 'Ravageole' along with the present lot.
The subject, 'Druid' was a favorite pet of Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (d.1873) who became Napoleon III in 1852. Another Peyrol cast of this same subject inscribed 'DRUID S.A.J. le Prince Napoléon' is illustrated by Christopher Payne's reference'Animals in Bronze, Woodbridge' (1986, p. 215, pl. D45). where the author describes it as an 'immensely sensitive and rare portrait'