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• Auguste-Nicolas Cain
• French, 1822-1894
• "Tigresse Rapportant un Paon à Ses Petits "
• Bronze
• 16 ¾ x 20 ½ inches, Base 2 inches high
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Provenance: The collection of the artist’s family; Léon Pierre Aubey; and thence by descent Literature: Lami, vol. 1, pp. 233-38; Payne, no. C86, p. 155 This cast of "Tigresse Rapportant un Paon à Ses Petits" is a highly important and unique animalier example in the realm of French 19th century bronzes. Sculpture in 19th century France saw popular works by important French sculptors cast in high numbers. Great works became pedantic by being over-produced. This is unfortunate as it lessens the impact of the great works produced during this golden era. Animalier bronzes played a significant role in 19th century France and this version of Cain’s important monument is a stellar example of workmanship and bears great sentimental and historical significance. Auguste-Nicolas Cain exhibited a plaster model of Tigresse Rapportant un Paon à Ses Petits at the Salon of 1873. Much admired and receiving great acclaim, the state commissioned a monument sized bronze version. Three years later, Cain showed the impressive large edition at the Salon of 1876 then giving it a title of "Famille de Tigres". The bronze was installed at the Jardin des Tuileries and is considered by the city to be one of its favorite monuments. Ultimately Cain had four animalier monuments installed in the Jardin des Tuileries, the larger version of ours being the most acclaimed of the four. Reductions were very popular with Parisians, and the life-size tigress led to many requests for a smaller version. A posthumous edition by the Susse Frères foundry answered this call. However, the version we have was cast by Cain in the foundry of his father-in-law, the celebrated animalier, Pierre-Jules Mêne. As the inscription indicates, it was the primary version in the reduced dimensions. It was in the collection of the artist before it was presented to Léon Pierre Aubey, a close friend of the artist who added the personal inscription. The wonderful vintage photograph of Cain at his desk with the beloved work sitting proudly by his side is testament to his affection for it. For a sculptor, recognition by the State in France was crucial to having a successful career. Our smaller version was specially cast for Cain’s collection and particularly refined. The ultimate presentation as a gift to his dear friend, Léon Pierre Aubey, assured that the sculpture would not pass into the hands of a less worthy person. A version of T"igress and Cubs" was donated and installed in Central Park, New York in 1867 and now resides in the Central Park Zoo. It may have been gifted by John Stewart Kennedy and Samuel Morse, the telegraph inventor. Kennedy visited Cain’s studio in France and greatly impressed by the work, commissioned one for his native home of Kelvingrove, Glasgow. The monument is referred to by several names which include “Bengal Tigress”, “Tigress and Cubs” and “Tigress and Peacock”.