Signed «P. LECOURTIER», this sculpture represents a lion crouching on a rock. It embodies the restrained power and tension of the beast. Rendered in white marble, the muscular lion is poised on a deliberately unpolished rock. This rock is made of a red, veined marble finishing in a contrasting polished base.

The French sculptor Prosper Lecourtier (1851 – 1924) was born in Grémilly and died in Paris. Lecourtier learnt his craft in Paris under the direction of Frémiet and Coutant. Although little is known about his life, he was a prolific artist. He regularly exhibited at the Salon from 1875 onwards. Remembered as a great animal sculptor, his works include: « Cheval arabe » (1879), « Chien et ses petits », « Chien bull-terrier » (1882), « Chienne » (1883), « Marchand de volaille » (1884), « Chien d’arrêt » (1886), « Chiens bassets » (1889), « Cheval de trait » (1901), « Lionne » (1907), and « Lionne au repos » (1911).

Marble sculptures by this artist are extremely rare as most of his work was in bronze. However, the same model entirely in white marble is on display at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and another in bronze at the Guéret Museum of Art and Archaeology.

Height: 54 cm.

Length: 54,5 cm.

Width: 18 cm.