Sobre o artista

Armand Petersen (Basel, Zw. 1891-1969) studied to be a gold and silversmith in Geneva. In 1914 he went to Hungary to continue his studies.

He worked in the studio of Bêla Markup, he was the one who took Petersen to the zoo in Budapest and introduced him to animal sculptures. Petersen moved to Paris in 1924 and befriended Édouard Marcel Sandoz. He then decided to only work as an animalier and he regularly visited the 'Jardin des plantes' zoo, where he also became a student of François Pompon.

His sculptures were increasingly simplified without destroying the character of the animal. The animals remained recognizable and even more beautiful because of the stylization and simplicity. He was successful, in 1927 he had his first exhibition at Galerie Brandt in Paris. Pompon, Bigot, Artus and Sandoz also exhibited there.
He received a lot of praise and he increasingly took part in various Salons.

In 1928, Manufacture des Sèvres issued a small edition of some of Petersen's works in sandstone. Around 1930, Bing & Grondahl followed, Copenhagen, and released small editions of some animal figures in porcelain.

Armand Petersen also belonged to the 'Groupe des douzes', a group of sculptors specialized in animals (animaliers), founded by Pompon. Among them were artists such as Sandoz, Jouve and Guyot.

In 1935, Petersen takes French nationality. The war years are difficult for him, bronzes are no longer cast, the animals in the zoo have been slaughtered due to food shortages. In 1943 he is also arrested by the Gestapo, through the mediation of a daughter-in-law he is eventually released.

After the war, he received several major assignments from the French state. He will therefore make more small works, sometimes also combined with his original profession as a goldsmith.

Armand Petersen is considered one of the great sculptors of the 20th century.
His work can be found in several museum collections, including that of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.

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