Sculpture - The Free Horse , Christophe Fratin (1801–1864) - Bronze

A rare bronze cast with a brown patina, depicting a portrait of an Arabian thoroughbred horse , by the animal sculptor Christophe Fratin (1801-1864) .
This work , typical of his style, captures the beauty and elegance of the Arabian thoroughbred , a breed of horse renowned for its speed and nobility.
Romanticism is clearly evident in his subjects , in which the horse plays a prominent role .
Christophe Fratin , renowned for his ability to accurately depict animal forms , succeeds here in conveying dynamism and movement , particularly through the raised front leg , which evokes power and vitality.
This posture not only suggests the animal’s potential to gallop but also highlights the majesty of its silhouette .
The sculptor excels at rendering the animal’s prominent muscles and elegant proportions .
The detail of the flowing mane , as well as the finesse of the sculpted limbs , attests to a meticulous observation of equine anatomy .
The sculpture rests on a naturalistic , richly chiseled base bearing the sculptor’s signature , "FRATIN" .
Antique bronze , dating from the second half of the 19th century .
In perfect condition with a beautiful patina .

Height : 33.5 cm

Christophe Fratin (1801 - 1864)

Christophe Fratin was a French sculptor , pioneer of the animal style , he is presented as "the formidable rival" of Antoine-Louis Barye , in the representation of animals .

The sculptor began his apprenticeship at the Art School in Metz .
He was a pupil of Carle Vernet and Theodore Gericault in Paris .
From 1831 , he exhibited regularly at the Salon .
The sculptor's repeated successes at the Salons of 1834 , 1835 and 1836 aroused the interest of the aristocracy .

Christophe Fratin stood out from other sculptors of his time for his eagerness to create models , and his ability to provide large-scale works .
His works were exhibited at Susse House , which ran a store Passage of Panoramas in Paris , where they were then offered in plaster .
It was really in 1835 that Fratin's bronze editions began .
His bronzes were produced using the sand casting technique and in variable dimensions .
He was one of the first , if not the first , to engage in edition sculpture .

Christophe Fratin's audience quickly became international .
He left for England between 1833 and 1834 .
Throughout his career , the interest of his English clientele never waned .
The artist also produced large-scale Romantic groups in Germany , in Potsdam , at the castles of Sans-Souci and Babelsberg , where some are still preserved .
This tireless worker even exported his works as far as St. Petersburg , where they decorated the Park of the Russian Emperor.
Romanticism is evident in his subjects , where the horse plays an important role .

In 1837, the Salon became hostile to the young Romantic generation , and C.Fratin's participation was reduced to his "The Broodmare" .
The sculptor then concentrated on editions and the realization of small commercial models .
In 1862 , he carried out his last commission by ministerial decision , "Goat and Kid" .
He also took part in various exhibitions , such as the Exposition of the Society of Friends of the Arts in Bordeaux , Metz World's Fair , under the patronage of the Empress in 1861 , and the 1862 Universal Exhibition in London .

Today , Christophe Fratin's sculptures can be found in the permanent collections of the Louvre , and Museums in Metz , Lyon , Strasbourg and Nîmes ...
Christophe Fratin died on August 17, 1864 , in Raincy .
He is buried in the Montmartre cemetery.