Georges Gardet

Georges Gardet is the most talented and interesting animalier sculptor in the generation after Barye. His models are inspired by his masters Frémiet and Barye, but take an original approach to the genre, breaking new ground with a bold approach to the use of different materials. On the most traditional level his bronze castings are consistently high quality and many are truly exceptional in the care and subtlety of the facture, reflecting his own direct involvement in the production. More pioneering though is his development of the animalier genre into marble and mixed material. 

Rejecting the use of classical white Carrara marble, Gardet experimented with local and unusual marbles, taking full advantage of the natural myriad colouration and veining. In his most ambitious works Gardet combined different stones with bronze and other material to create a wholly new approach to animalier sculpture.

This extraordinary Cockatoo showcases Gardet's ability to to combine a careful observation of nature with a powerful sense of drama. The bird's vast wing-span is extended and the headcrest is raised as it lands on a knarled brunch. The bird is confronted by a snail on the tree stump, who seems to raise its horns in mute enquiry. This detail adds a whimsical humour to the sculpture whilst emphasising the cockatoo's impressive size.