Aramis the Jaguar, Black-Patinated Original Bronze by Jacques Chauvenet - 12½"

This striking contemporary bronze sculpture by French artist Jacques Chauvenet depicts Aramis the Jaguar in a seated, watchful pose. The animal's powerful body is rendered in rounded, simplified forms, with broad shoulders, muscular haunches and a long tail curling around the angular base. This stylized treatment recalls the animal sculptures of the Art Deco period, such as the the work of François Pompon. Its lowered head and almost contemplative expression contrast beautifully with the strength of its physique, capturing the quiet intensity of a wild animal at rest. The deep black patina catches the light beautifully, emphasizing the animal's rounded forms and the variations in texture. The bronze is signed and numbered 3/8, from a limited edition of eight.

Born in Chambéry in 1950, Jacques Chauvenet studied sculpture at the École des Beaux-Arts in Reims. His career has earned him several distinctions, including the Rumsey Prize, the City of Sèvres' first prize for sculpture and a silver medal at Art Expo New York. He has also received commissions for several public monuments in France. 

This is a sculpture that deserves a little space around it, allowing its powerful silhouette to be appreciated from different angles. On a long antique oak sideboard in a library, its dark bronze would contrast beautifully with the warmth of the wood, while a simple stone pedestal against a pale plaster wall would emphasize its clean, rounded contours. The jaguar's quiet, watchful attitude and the glossy black patina introduce a note of restrained drama to pared-down contemporary spaces and richly layered interiors alike.