48 - Armand Petersen (1891–1969)

Armand Petersen (1891–1969) Lioness Grooming Herself, also known as Seated Panther Licking Herself Model created in 1931; produced by Susse beginning in July 1931 Bronze with a brown patina tinged with red Signed “PETERSEN” Bears the circular insert and the foundry mark “Susse Fres Edts Paris” Bears the inscription “lost wax,” is stamped “BRONZE,” and bears the number “2” H. 17 cm A native of Basel, Armand Petersen trained at the School of Industrial Arts in Geneva. After a brief stay in Paris in 1914, he joined the studio of sculptor Bêla Markup in Budapest. In addition to learning modeling techniques, he may have received there the most important lesson for his future creations: his discovery of animal art and the observation of live models at the Hungarian capital’s zoo. He never ceased to refine his work, always seeking elegance and purity of line. Ornamentation was set aside to render with ever-greater force anatomical accuracy as well as the beauty of movement and posture. During the interwar period, with François Pompon as their leader, a group of sculptors ushered in what is commonly regarded as the “golden age” of animal sculpture. Although Petersen did not formally join the “Group of Twelve” surrounding Pompon—due to his Swiss nationality—he was a distinguished guest among them. He accompanied the Master of Saulieu to the Jardin des Plantes and exhibited his works alongside the most prominent animal sculptors during the historic exhibition at the Galerie Brandt in 1927. Related literature: -Liliane Colas, *Petersen: Animal Sculptor*, Bry-sur-Marne, M. Chelbi, 2004, model listed under no. 62, pp. 140–141; -Jean-Marc Bauquier, *Armand Petersen: Animal Sculptor. Complete Works*, Booksfactory, 2024, model listed under no. 62, pp. 193–195.