P. Berjean

P. BERJEAN (France or Belgium, XIXth - XXth c.)
"The hunter", 1930
Patinated bronze on marble base "verde antico".
Signed: "P. Berjean".
Measurements: 41 x 27 cm.

Art Deco sculptural group representing a hunter fighting against a panther beast that shows its jaws. The beast, especially, is worked with great detail, paying special attention to capture the movement, tension and violence of the scene.

The representation of wild animals was one of the most frequent themes during the Art Deco period, since this was the time of the discovery of wild Africa, mainly by reporters covering the new rallies. European society was fascinated by the exotic fauna in freedom, a reflection of a world still to be exploited, still far from the control imposed by civilization. Representations of animals of all kinds, especially felines, but also birds, gazelles, elephants, etc., will proliferate. Of course, always treated under the aesthetics of the time, with a solid classicist base, orderly and harmonious, synthetic and reduced to its essence, expressive and forceful in its simplicity.