Paul Simon (1892-1979) - Lot 153

Paul Simon (1892-1979) Orangutan Model created circa 1947, published by the Manufacture de Sèvres between 1948 and 1954 Sculpture in pink stoneware Signed "Paul. Simon". Bears the stamp of the Manufacture de Sèvres and the initials of the repareur "LS". H. 29.7 x W. 32.6 x D. 23.4 cm Son of painters Lucien and Jeanne Simon, Paul Simon turned to animal sculpture. Fascinated by the animals at the Jardin des Plantes, he modeled the most exotic animals in clay, including elephants, hippos and wildcats. He became particularly familiar with a large orangutan, and produced several portraits during the First World War. In 1929, he exhibited his sculptures for the first time at the Animaliers exhibition at the Edgar Brandt gallery, alongside François Pompon, Georges Guyot, Edouard Marcel Sandoz and Armand Petersen. After the Second World War, encouraged by Sandoz, Paul Simon turned to publishing and produced four models for the Manufacture de Sèvres, including our orangutan in 1947. Related literature: -Anne Doridou-Heim, Lucien, Jeanne et Paul Simon : une famille d'artiste, cat. exp., Paris, Galerie Philippe Heim, March 22-April 20, 2002, Paris, Galerie Philippe Heim, 2002, pp. 91-111.