Bassompierre, perfect mastery of the curves of nature

Lots of artistes have always tried to capture all the grace of Mother Nature. Whether with a brush, words or a chisel, she has inspired artists for centuries , not to say millennia. Sometimes, one of them manages to understand it a little better than the others and feel it strongly enough to give life to significant works. No one doubts that Bassompierre is one of these rare chosen ones.

The birth of a Parisian artist, hopelessly in love with animals

It is not necessary to travel far to discover the roots of Bassompierre. The sculpteur was born in the French capital. Paris welcomed his first cries during the year 1948. His father was an eminent scientist. Perhaps he gets his mastery of matter and anatomy from him. His artist soul, on the other hand, was instilled in him by by his mother. Very early on, Michel Bassompierre developed a passion for animals. He observes them, studies them, tries to understand them. His love for art, and sculpture in particular, evolved in parallel. Guided by this sensitivity artistic, Bassompierre chose to begin an advanced apprenticeship in the field. at a Fine Arts school, in the city of Rouen. Within these walls, his interest in sculpture is confirmed. Passionate, he will not spare his efforts and will seek to achieve success. reach the highest level. Working with the material becomes an obsession. The artist tries different techniques, still searching for himself, while progressing quickly. Marble and bronze quickly became his favorite materials.

Animal anatomy

Mastering the material, feeling your subject and working on your technique, these are the immutable bases of the work of a artist sculptor. However, Bassompierre finds this insufficient. Each of his attempts leaves him dissatisfied. So he starts again, again and again. A hundred times on the loom, he put his work back. Until the day when he understood that he would only master his subject perfectly when he knew it in its entirety. This is how he turned to lessons in animal anatomy. His studies allowed him to specialize in the field of muscles and skeletons. For long hours, he observed various animals. He made countless sketches. Alongside his drawings, notes complete ;ter its scientific approach. Behavior, particularities, nothing is neglected.

Curves for inspiration

Evolution has made possible the emergence of an infinity of possibilities. shapes and textures, in the living world. Any artist can draw inspiration from it for more than one life. Nevertheless, Michel Bassompierre focuses specifically on the most rounded shapes. Harmonious, peaceful, they capture the light in a unique way. Thus are born, in his hands,:

• polar bears,
• gorillas,
• brown bears,
• horses,
• elephants,
• frogs.

Prizes and Rewards

The work of Michel Bassompierre is quickly considered to be a major success. as a reference in the world of art. Recognition from his peers began in 1985, with the JOHNSON Foundation Prize. In 1988, the Salon National des Artistes Animaliers awarded him the Fernand Mery prize. Its notoriety gained even more momentum in 1989, when he received the Grand Prix du Salon National des Artistes Animaliers. The following year, the sculptor was awarded the douard Marcel Sandoz Prize. As the 2000s approach, Bassompierre has the honor of being the recipient of a gold medal, respectfully bequeathed by the Salon des Artistes Français . The rewards come one after the other. a frantic pace.

Animals by the hundreds

One thing is certain: the impact of Michel Bassompierre's work on his time is palpable. He opened a new path for animal sculpture, a path of excellence. Over the years, the sculptor brought life to life. hundreds of bears, primates and many other animals. Each of these animals enjoys success that goes far beyond French borders. Collectors and museums around the world compete to obtain the most beautiful creations of Bassompierre. It is also not uncommon to come across his sculptures, all rounded and subtle, in various galleries, everywhere. Paris as in Paris abroad.

Breathing life by manipulating matter

Experts agree say that what differentiates Bassompierre from so many other animal sculptors is his ability to model the living. When we are faced with; one of the bronzes or marbles of the sculptor artist, we almost expect; perceive a movement, even a tiny one, a trace of life. The gestures, the position, the movement depicted for each subject is screaming truth.

An audience affected by by the delicacy of his work

In addition to his mastery of sculpture and the realism of his subjects, the sensitivity of his work of Bassompierre pours into each of his projects. This same delicacy is easily perceived, even for a layman. There you go probably the secret ingredient of the sculptor's success. In 2022, the municipality of Fondette requested its inhabitants, for the choice of a sculpture. A special place awaited the latter, near a particularly frequented cultural space. After a vote which unleashed passions, one of the bears of Bassompierre was crowned big winner. Title "Honey", it seduced young and old.

Original compositions

Most often, Bassompierre depicts a solitary animal, going about its business. his daily occupations: observation, fishing, eating, resting, walking... Sometimes, the subject becomes more complex. With his series of sculptures "The game", the sculptor plays with shapes and initiates new movements. The bears roll around in the grass, the siblings look at each other in their natural environment, the animal companions huddle against each other. In any case, no peinture imposes itself on the subject. Left raw, the animals of Bassompierre present themselves to the public in brown, black or white shades. This simplicity is in total agreement with the grace of the curves and the delicacy to the touch. the basis of all of Bassompierre's work.