Paul Chevre. Boy Separating Fighting Roosters: France / Canada

A monumental bronze sculpture by Paul Chevré, an eminent Franco-Canadian master of the academic school at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The composition depicts a nude young boy captured in a tense moment, attempting to separate two roosters engaged in a violent fight.

The figure of the boy is conceived in an antique style. The modeling of the torso reveals precise anatomical structure and a refined treatment of the surfaces. The contrapposto accentuates the impression of a fleeting gesture frozen in bronze. The diagonal line formed by the roosters’ outstretched wings and outstretched necks cuts across the line of the body and the drapery around the hips, creating a powerful dramatic rhythm within the composition.

The contrast between the smooth surface of the youthful body and the textured rendering of the feathers produces an expressive play of light on the noble dark patina. The base, rendered in a naturalistic style, reinforces the dynamic tension of the sculptural group. The work attests to the maturity of the artist’s artistic language and aligns with the aesthetic ideals of the Belle Époque.

Markings: “Paul Chevré” signature on the base; foundry mark.

Dimensions: Height 75 centimeters; width 52 centimeters.

Condition: Good condition. Even dark patina. Slight signs of wear consistent with its age.

Provenance: European private collection.