L’ours blanc in silver color

Francois Pompon (1855 – 1933) was born in Saulieu in French Burgundy as the son of a carpenter. He attends classes at l’Ecole des Beaux Arts as well as at l’Ecole Nationale des Arts Décoratifs. During his education he meets Pierre-Louis Rouillard, a sculptor of animal figures – who possibly became a source of inspiration for the work which would make him famous later on. In 1882 he marries Berthe Velain and he tries to build his own oeuvre. He ends up taking service with Rodin where he becomes head of his studio three years later. Pompon starts to focus more and more on animal figures, but his work remains unappreciated. Not until he is 67 years old does he get his final breakthrough with the exhibition of l’Ours Blanc in plaster at the Salon des artistes Français. (POMS11 – h. 18 cm. & POMS01 – h. 11 cm.)