Rembrandt Bugatti – The Animal Gazer

REMBRANDT BUGATTI

THE ANIMAL GA Z E R

SLADMORE

REMBRANDT BUGATTI

THE ANIMAL GA Z E R 22nd May to 21st June 2019

SLADMORE

FOREWORD I am delighted to mount this exhibition of sculpture to coincide with the publication in English of Edgardo Franzosini’s award winning novel based on the life of Rembrandt Bugatti entitled The Animal Gazer.

It is a fitting tribute that a celebrated contemporary writer such as Edgardo should be inspired to write this fictional biography. Bugatti truly is the Animal Gazer as is reflected by his skill and sensitivity in portraying his friends from the zoos of Paris and Antwerp. During August 1914, at the height of the hostilities, Bugatti’s beloved animals at the Antwerp zoo were, for reasons of safety and food shortages, culled. His extraordinary empathy for them inevitably brought about his own despair and subsequent suicide at the age of just 31.

I would like to thank Veronique Fromanger of the Bugatti Conservatoire for her help in the selection of exhibits, which, spread throughout Bugatti’s brief working life show the breadth of his stylistic range. In addition, we will be exhibiting a selection of items from the Bugatti family and the Sladmore archive, which we hope, along with Edgardo’s novel, will help create the atmosphere of the life and times of Rembrandt Bugatti.

ED WA RD HO R SWE L L May 2019

Unguided by any master, the young artist could rely only on his own sense of balance, preserving every atom of felt expression. The results revealed him as a born artist, distinct from those who merely have an ambition to become creators but lack a gift of nature.

ETTORE BUGATTI, MOLSHEIM, c. 1920

It’s difficult not to the love the eccentric, fragile Rembrandt Bugatti and suffer alongside him.

JOSEPH LUZZI, NEW YORK TIMES, 2018

A book that hurts but with a beauty and human poetry that allows for nostalgia and sweetness.

LA VOCE DI PISTOLA, 2018

…far better than any academic studies, personal observation – based on the eye and the mind – has formed his exceptional talent, truly exceptional.

LE TEMPS, EDOUARD SARRADIN, c. 1910

Be harsh with men, kind to animals. Embrace the creatures for they are my faithful friends.

REMBRANDT BUGATTI, 1914

As for Rembrandt, what he liked observing in his models was precisely their movement, and certainly not static poses. How they crouched down, bodies extended, mouths half-open, claws unfurled. How lithely they arched their backs. How they shook their horns and beat their hooves on the ground.

THE ANIMAL GAZER, EDGARDO FRANZOSINI

At the beginning of the 20th century, in the breath of life, with a founder-editor of genius, A.A.Hebrard, the sculptor Rembrandt Bugatti was able to capture the language of wild animals. In all the history of art, from the cave paintings of prehistoric man to now, the work of Rembrandt Bugatti is to be celebrated as one of the most remarkably alive, both powerful and striking.

In 2019, Edward Horswell with unfailing dedication and devotion, turns again to him with passion in his new book.

VERONIQUE FROMANGER, 2019

LIST OF EXHIBITS 1.

Bull and Cow, 1902

2.

Lioness Eating, 1903

3.

Small Walking Panther, 1904

4.

Panther Grooming, 1904

5.

Girl with Cat, c. 1906

6.

Stretching Elephant, c. 1907

7.

Walking Bear, 1909

8.

Grand Fourmilier, 1909

9

Nubian Lioness, 1909-1910

10. Two Tapirs, 1910 Rembrandt Bugatti, Antwerp, c. 1909

11. Fawn, c. 1911 12. Two Kudu Antelopes, 'Face à Face', 1911 13. Three Storks, 1901–12 14. Seated Leopard, Tail Along Base, 1912 15. Merino Sheep, c. 1912 16. Rooster and Frog, c. 1912

1.

Bull and Cow, 1902 Bronze Height: 27 cm; 10 in

2.

Lioness Eating, 1903 Bronze Height: 16.5 cm; 6.5 in

3.

Small Walking Panther, 1904 Bronze Height: 16 cm; 6 in

4.

Panther Grooming, 1904 Bronze Height: 18 cm; 7 in

5.

Girl with Cat, c. 1906 Bronze Height: 56 cm; 22 in

6.

Stretching Elephant, c. 1907 Bronze Height 14 cm; 5 in

7.

Walking Bear, 1909 Bronze Height: 20 cm; 8 in

8.

Grand Fourmilier, 1909 Bronze Height: 36.5 cm; 14 in

9.

Nubian Lioness, 1909-1910 Bronze Height: 41 cm; 16 in

10. Two Tapirs, 1910

Bronze Height: 29 cm; 11.5 in

11. Fawn, c. 1911

Bronze Height: 31 cm; 12 in

12. Two Kudu Antelopes, 'Face à Face', 1911

Bronze Height: 23 cm; 9 in

13. Three Storks, 1901–12

Bronze, from left to right Jabiru Stork, height: 45.5 cm; 18 in Walking Jabiru Stork, height: 36 cm; 14 in Male Jabiru Stork, height: 45.5 cm; 18 in

14. Seated Leopard, Tail Along Base, 1912

Bronze Height: 22 cm; 9 in

15. Merino Sheep, c. 1912

Bronze Height: 19 cm; 7.5 in

16. Rooster and Frog, c. 1912

Bronze Height: 25 cm; 10 in

The Sladmore Gallery gratefully acknowledges the permission granted (where required) to reproduce copyright material in this book.

Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and to obtain their permission for the use of copyright material. We apologise for any errors or omissions and would be grateful to be notified of any corrections that should be made.

Credits Photography: Ken Adlard Design: Chris Hall, The Burlington Magazine All works are subject to prior sale.

Due to the ambiguities inherent in measuring three-dimensional objects, the measurements given throughout this publication are primarily to provide the reader with a sense of each sculpture’s scale.

They are not intended for reference in issues of authentication, etc.

Copyright of the Sladmore Gallery. No part of this book may be reproduced.

ISBN: 978-1-901403-43-5

SLADMORE 57 Jermyn Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 6LX Telephone: +44 (0)20 7629 1144 contact@sladmore.com www.sladmore.com

Back cover: Rembrandt Bugatti at Antwerp Zoo in 1908, modelling ‘Elephant Begging’ Photograph taken by Josue Dupon, courtesy of the Josue Dupon archive.

First translated by Michael F. Moore for the New Vessel Press edition, New York, 2018.

The Animal Gazer won two distinguished Italian literary awards in 2016, the Premio Comisso and the Premio Dessi.

First published in the UK by Head of Zeus, May 2019.