FRANÇOIS LAVRAT – SIGNED ORIGINAL SCULPTURE – 2006 A striking and highly distinctive signed sculpture by French artist François Lavrat, dated 2006, created during an important period in the artist’s career. This expressive work combines worked metal, powerful curved forms and a textured natural-looking base, creating a remarkable composition in which solid material, open spaces and sweeping lines interact with one another. The sculpture has a strongly animalistic and symbolic character. Rather than reproducing an animal in a strictly naturalistic way, Lavrat uses elongated forms, curves, openings and exaggerated lines to suggest movement, energy, tension and the feeling of something rising or taking flight. The result is a fascinating work that changes considerably depending on the viewing angle. The open spaces are an important part of the composition, allowing the surrounding light and background to become part of the sculpture itself. François Lavrat is a French sculptor particularly known for his work with metal. He trained in plastic arts at the prestigious École Boulle and developed a personal style combining modernity, figurative and abstract expression, movement and symbolism. His preferred materials include iron, bronze and stainless steel. His official biography states that he has created hundreds of collection pieces as well as numerous monumental works. Lavrat’s approach is particularly interesting for collectors because his sculptures are not simply representations of animals: he deliberately uses symbolic anatomy and dynamic forms to express emotion and movement. Art historian Jean-Charles Hachet describes this aspect of his work as giving priority to emotion and movement over purely naturalistic observation. SIGNATURE & DATE The sculpture is clearly signed: “F. LAVRAT 2006” The 2006 date is especially interesting in the context of the artist’s career. During that year Lavrat exhibited at several important art and animal-art events, including a personal exhibition at the Château de Dampierre-sur-Boutonne devoted to equestrian sculpture, as well as the “Art Animaux” exhibition at Espace Champerret in Paris. DIMENSIONS * Height: approx. 52 cm / 20.5 in * Width: approx. 28 cm / 11 in * Weight: approx. 4 kg / 8.8 lb * Date: 2006 * Artist: François Lavrat * Signature: F. LAVRAT 2006 * Origin: France * Type: Contemporary French metal sculpture * Style: Figurative / abstract / animalistic / symbolic A SCULPTURE WITH A STRONG PRESENCE Despite its relatively compact dimensions, this is not a small decorative object. The sculpture has a strong vertical presence and a particularly interesting silhouette. The combination of the dark textured base, the circular metal support, the large curved surrounding element and the upward-reaching metal forms gives the work a remarkable architectural quality. It can be viewed from several angles, with different silhouettes and negative spaces appearing as the viewer moves around it. This makes it especially suitable for display on a sideboard, console, pedestal, library, office or elegant contemporary interior. The contrast between the apparent weight of the base and the lighter, almost airborne metal construction is one of the most appealing aspects of the piece. CONDITION The sculpture is presented in good overall vintage/collectible condition, with the expected signs of age and handling appropriate to a sculpture dating from 2006. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and show the sculpture from several angles, including the artist’s signature and date. COLLECTOR’S NOTE François Lavrat is a recognized French sculptor whose work spans abstract, figurative and animal sculpture, with a particular emphasis on metal and movement. His works are represented in private collections and he has also produced numerous monumental commissions. This signed 2006 sculpture offers an opportunity to acquire a genuine work by François Lavrat, combining French craftsmanship, sculptural design and the artist’s characteristic use of movement and symbolism. A highly decorative and expressive piece that would make a sophisticated addition to a private collection of contemporary French sculpture, animal art or metalwork