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Lot Essay
Born in 1850 in Nancy, Morot began his artistic education under a drawing master named Thierry. He later attended the studio of Alexandre Cabanel in the École des Beaux Arts in Paris, but left after only two weeks in order to continue his studies independently. He often visited the Jardin des plantes where he would study the animals. Despite his lack of formal education, he was awarded the Prix de Rome in 1873 and won the gold medal for his first entry into the Salon in 1877. He married the daughter of the painter Jean-Léon Gérôme. His oeuvre is varied and is comprised of history paintings, society portraits and Orientalist scenes which were so popular at the time.
In the early years of his career, Morot was particularly successful as a painter of animals, especially lions, horses and bulls. His interest in accurately portraying exotic animals pervaded all aspects of his professional life. Like many artists of the time, Morot surrounded himself with accessories in order to imbue his paintings with the verisimilitude so demanded by the collectors of the day. Animal skins littered the floor of his studio (fig. 1) and his portrayals of lions in particular demonstrate the influence of his famous father-in-law.
In the present pair of paintings, with their monumental size and true-to-life postures depicted with no additional embellishments, Morot deftly captures the nobility of these magnificent creatures. The lack of a specific background concentrates the eye of the viewer on the power and strength of these big cats, and even though they are depicted at rest, it is clear that the artist fully understands and successfully portrays the innate character of these dangerous predators.
(fig. 1.) Aimé Morot in his studio
In the early years of his career, Morot was particularly successful as a painter of animals, especially lions, horses and bulls. His interest in accurately portraying exotic animals pervaded all aspects of his professional life. Like many artists of the time, Morot surrounded himself with accessories in order to imbue his paintings with the verisimilitude so demanded by the collectors of the day. Animal skins littered the floor of his studio (fig. 1) and his portrayals of lions in particular demonstrate the influence of his famous father-in-law.
In the present pair of paintings, with their monumental size and true-to-life postures depicted with no additional embellishments, Morot deftly captures the nobility of these magnificent creatures. The lack of a specific background concentrates the eye of the viewer on the power and strength of these big cats, and even though they are depicted at rest, it is clear that the artist fully understands and successfully portrays the innate character of these dangerous predators.
(fig. 1.) Aimé Morot in his studio