199 - André Vincent BECQUEREL (1893–1981)

André Vincent BECQUEREL (1893–1981) Panther Rubbing Against a Tree, c. 1930 Bronze cast with a nuanced green patina, signed on the base H. 37 cm - W. 61 cm - D. 11 cm Note: André-Vincent Becquerel (1893–1981) established himself as one of the leading figures in animal sculpture during the Art Deco period. A student of Hector Lemaire and Prosper Lecourtier at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, he acquired a rigorous mastery of anatomy before breaking free from 19th-century narrative naturalism in favor of the aesthetic ideals of the 1920s and 1930s. While his repertoire encompasses a variety of animals, his depictions of panthers represent the undisputed pinnacle of his work. Avoiding dramatic combat scenes, Becquerel captures the essence of the wild cat in natural poses—crawling, moving stealthily, or lying in wait—by synthesizing volumes through taut, fluid, and geometric lines. Cast primarily in bronze by renowned foundries such as Max Le Verrier or Marcel Etling, his felines are distinguished by subtle patinas (black, antique green, or golden brown) and often rest on architecturally designed bases made of Portor marble, Belgian black marble, or onyx. These works, combining restrained muscular power with understated elegance, remain particularly sought-after on the art market today for their perfect embodiment of the stylized modernity of the interwar period.