THE TIGER TAMER

Historical and artistic context

This captivating sculpture in white Carrara marble depicts a woman in a dynamic pose, firmly holding the jaw of a subdued tiger. The composition radiates both contained strength and confident sensuality — a hallmark of many orientalist works from the early 20th century.

The tamer is shown standing, her torso gently leaning forward, forming a graceful and expressive serpentine line. She grips the tiger’s jaw with assurance, asserting composed dominance over the animal. She wears a stage costume inspired by the circus world, adorned with a medallion belt, finely sculpted beaded details, and a headband that holds back her curled hair. Her gentle expression contrasts with the tension of the scene, heightening the duality between power and beauty. The tiger, with massive paws and a muscular back, is portrayed in a docile posture, yet still exudes latent power. It does not roar — it obeys — further underscoring the tamer’s control. At their feet lies a whip or command staff, a subtle but essential reminder of the woman’s role and authority.

The sculpture clearly aligns with the aesthetic of the late 19th century and early 20th century : a taste for exotic or theatrical scenes; the celebration of empowered femininity in the vein of tamers, amazons, or mythological heroines; and a virtuosic treatment of marble, especially in the rendering of textures — from garments and hair to the tiger’s pelt and musculature.

This is a unique example of Art Deco sculpture, preserved in a remarkable state of conservation.

Literature

• PANZETTA, A. Nuovo Dizionario degli Scultori Italiani dell’Ottocento e del primo Novecento. 3e éd. Italy : Umberto Allemandi & C., 2003. Vol.2. p. 589.