Richard Fath (1900-1952) Bust Lioness

About this piece

Original hand formed lionhead, an original and unique piece, made of red clay by the great animal sculptor Richard Fath in 1942. He catched the character of the animal in a great way.

The little bust is signed and dated at the back with 'Fath, 1942'. The base is also made of ceramic and also signed.

Biography:
Richard Fath, Paris 1900-1952, was a student at l'École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Parijs (1924) and a pupil of Falguière, Mercié and Boucher. In the studio of Jean Boucher he gets to know Belmondo, Jouchère and Sandoz well.

In 1925 he exhibited for the first time at the Salon des Artistes Français and at the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Décoratifs in Paris, where he received an honourable mention.

In 1927-1928, member the Salon des Artistes Indépendant.

In those years he focused totally on his animal sculptures, especially dogs were his favourites. He was a member of several national and international dog organisations and travelled threw Europe and the States. He portrayed more than 70 dogs.

His bronzes were cast and edited by Valsuani, Etling, Lehmann and Susse Frères.

During WWII he was mobilised and received the 'Croix de Guèrre'. After the war he withdrew and didn't travel any longer. He only worked with plaster and terracotta.

He portrayed all his animals in their natural ways, often beautiful animated portraits of the animals he loved so much. He died in 1952, only 52 years old.

His work can be seen in several museum collections.

Provenance:
Family of Richard Fath.

Literature:
Jean-Charles Hachet, Dictionnaire illustré des Sculpteurs & Fondeurs de l'Antiquité á nos jours" Volume I&II., Argus Valentines, limited edition 2005. Volume I: p. 320-321, Volume II: illustration p. 716

Thierry Roche; 'Dictionnaire biographique des sculpteurs des années 1920-30', Éditon Beau-Fixe, 2007. p. 166.

Condition

Excellent