(b. 1807, Clermont-Ferrand, d. 1855, Enghein-les-Bains)
Monkey Jockey and Dog
c. 1846
Sand cast bronze, 13 x 15 cm
Private collection
In the middle of the 19th century there was a surge in bronze sculptures of animals doing human tasks. Christophe Fratin created his humanized bears being lamp lighters, dentists, and even reading books. Paul Gayrard also created his famous Monkey Steeple Chase bronze in 1846 which showed a group of four horses jumping with monkey jockeys on their backs. The present bronze is done from this group.
