Splendid French Vintage Bronze Black Panther Sculpture - Irénée Rochard 1930s

Majestic vintage (1930s) Art Deco bronze black panther sculpture on marble base by Irénée Rochard. The sculpture depicts a black panther gracefully climbing a tree, creating a striking and poweful presence. The bronze bears the inscription ‘I. Rochard’. Irénée Rochard (1906-1984) was a French decorative sculptor best known for his Art Nouveau-styled depictions of animals. Rochard was fascinated by animals and dedicated his work to their study, creating highly lifelike sculptures born of his carefully observations of many creatures. Born in 1906 in Villefranche sur Saône to a family of artists, he studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In 1938, he became a member of the Society of French Artists, winning numerous prizes and distinctions during his long career, including a gold medal at the Colonial Exhibition in 1931. A number of his works were purchased by the Paris City Council and the city of New York.