Large Bronze Group of a Man Fighting a Lion/Lioness, Signed “H. Peyrol”

Description

Bronze Group of a Man Fighting a Lion/Lioness, After François Auguste-Hippolyte Peyrol, Signed “H. Peyrol” The sculpture is cast as a freestanding bronze group depicting a nude male figure standing over a fallen lion upon a naturalistic rocky base. The man is shown in a forward leaning stance, his right arm raised high above his head gripping a handled hammer with a wedge form head, while his left arm extends downward toward the animal. His torso twists sharply, with defined musculature across the chest, abdomen, and back. The head tilts downward, the mouth open, and the hair is gathered into a compact topknot at the crown. A narrow belt encircles the waist, supporting a textured pelt that falls at the hip. Beneath him, the lion lies on its back across the uneven terrain, its hind legs bent and forepaws raised, claws extended against the man’s leg and forearm. The animal’s mouth is open, teeth exposed, and its tail curves outward along the base. The rocky plinth is integrally cast with layered planes and rough contours, forming a stable platform. The surface is finished with a deep brown patina, applied consistently across the figures and base. The base is signed “H. PEYROL” in cast lettering along the front edge. François Auguste-Hippolyte Peyrol was a French sculptor known for bronze groups representing mythological and allegorical subjects. His works were produced in bronze and bear his name cast or incised into the base. This bronze demonstrates controlled casting, with clear transitions between smooth anatomical surfaces and textured elements such as the lion’s fur and the rocky ground. The detailing of the facial features, hands, claws, and mane shows precise chasing after casting. The patina is even and stable, emphasizing the modeled forms without obscuring detail. François Auguste-Hippolyte Peyrol Jr. Born in 1832, François Auguste-Hippolyte Peyrol came to Paris in 1842 when his mother married widower Raimond Bonheur. He studied painting and sculpture under Raimond, who sent him to study under the celebrated animal sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye and he later studied under Emmanuel Fremiet. In 1852 he married his step-sister, Juliette Bonheur and on June 10th of 1856 they had their first son, François Auguste-Hippolyte Peyrol. Their second son, Rene Peyrol, was born July 4th of 1860. By 1875 François had established himself as an editeur of bronzes at 24, Haute Feuille in Paris where he exclusively cast bronze works for Rosa and Isidore. By 1890, Peyrol had located his premises at 14, rue de Crussol and he passed away in Paris on January 29 1900. François Auguste-Hippolyte Peyrol (Jr.) studied painting under his aunt, Rosa Bonheur, and sculpture under his uncle, Isidore Bonheur, as well as Tabard and Frenne, first exhibiting at Salon in 1880. He was awarded honorable mention at the Salon des Artistes Francais in 1883, 1886 and 1892, achieving a second-class metal in 1892 and first class in 1894. In 1899 he collaborated with his uncle to execute the Monument to Rosa Bonheur in Fountainbleu as a commemoration to her. In 1908 he was awarded the Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur. Much of his work was focused around animal subjects. He continued to operate his father's business until approximately 1927 when it ceased operations.

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