catalog text
GEORGES GARDET
French, 1863-1939
Recumbent Great Dane
Patinated bronze | signed in cast "G. GARDET", cold-stamped "MODELE", Graham Gallery label retained underside
Item # 303KMG05Q
An exquisite casting of Gardet's Recumbent Great Dane with a nuanced black-over-medium-brown patination highlighted by trace verdigris, it is a silky cast with an underlying sensitivity in the modeling that casts a certain bokeh quality over the image. Gardet modeled these as a pair and also separated them into two separate sculptures, one with the Great Dane looking up expectantly at the owner and the present example with the dog looking off into the distance, paws crossed and in a very peaceful and perhaps even sleepy posture. Many of these were cast for Gardet by the foundry Siot-Decauville of varying quality - the present example is a rare and very fine cast cold-stamped MODELE along the edge.
Measurements: 18 5/8" W x 10 1/2" H x 6 7/8" D
Condition Report:
A wonderful nuanced patina with some handling wear to the tops of paws and tips of toes, some relieving of the patina from black to a lighter brown - a portion apparently intentional by the patineur and likely original while some is likely from handling - to the haunches, back and head. Faint joinery seam at haunch. Carefully cleaned and sealed in conservator-grade wax. A very fine presentation.