FRATIN, Christophe

French sculptor, the son of a taxidermist. He first studied sculpture under Charles Augustin Pioche (1762-1839) in Metz but became disillusioned with the romantic style of the day and moved to Paris where he studied under the painter and sculptor Géricault.

Fratin was one of the first of the French sculptors, along with Antoine Louis Barye, to successfully portray animals in bronze. His understanding of animal anatomy as well as their natural actions and poses gives his bronzes a life like realism. Most of his animal subjects appear gaunt with pronounced rib cages which is what they would have look like in their natural environment as opposed to the well fed zoo animals that were modeled by so many artists. Fratin’s true understanding of animal anatomy and form came from his early experiences helping his father with his taxidermy business.

Fratin’s animal bronzes were very popular in most European countries as well as America and England during his lifetime. Some of his most favoured and collected sculptures are his numerous dancing bears, and dressed animals which are engaged in human activities. Fratin’s work was highly romantic in its interpretation without the dramatic and sometimes violent treatment that Barye so successfully portrayed. Fratin executed may wild and domestic animal groups always capturing his subjects in their normal activities such as eating or in flight or motion with their flowing manes and tails. His ability to capture an animal in full flight, or at the exact moment of it’s being caught by a predator was unmatched by any artist before or since his time.

Fratin received several monumental commissions in France as well as other countries, one of which was the Deux Aigles Gardant Leur Proie which is located in New York’s Central Park.

Fratin exhibited at the Paris Salon in the years 1831-1842 and 1850-1862. He also exhibited at the Great Exhibition in London in 1851.