226 - MAGNIFICENT SCULPTURE "LEAPING CHEETAH" by José Maria DAVID (1944–2015)

MAGNIFICENT SCULPTURE "LEAPING CHEETAH" by José Maria DAVID (1944–2015) Bronze with a brown patina, signed and numbered "3/8" on the base. Foundry stamp “Chapon.” Provenance: Private collection in Paris Dimensions: approx. 60 x 115 cm Condition: shows signs of use and wear; very small scratches at the base of the tail. His love of art first led him to work as an antique dealer. But in 1986, he decided to devote himself entirely to sculpture, with animals—whether wild or domestic—as his sole subject. He masterfully captures the expressions of animals caught in the moment: anxiety, defense, alertness, tranquility, and tenderness. In his work, the bison leaps, the wolf lies in wait, the bull charges, the cheetah is in full flight, the owl looks surprised, the pandas are having a conversation, the camel plods along, the horse rears up, the wild cats play, and the cat lies lazily… Over the years, a substantial bestiary has taken shape, exuding strength and dynamism. His sculptures assert themselves as pure movement; they become the instrument, the vehicle for an absolute perception of mobility. This sculpture conveys an idea of movement that goes beyond the traditional notions of stability and unity. The artist prides himself on his speed of execution, being able to complete an entire sculpture in just a few hours. His style is frequently compared to that of the animal sculptor Rembrandt Bugatti.