Tigre de l'Annam
Gustave Surand (French, 1860–1937)
Oil on canvas
35 1/4 x 46 1/16 in.
Signed "GVE, SURAND" (lower left)
Gustave Paul Alexandre Surand, a Paris-born painter and sculptor, was renowned for his mastery in portraying wild animals, particularly large felines. Educated under Jean-Paul Laurens at the École des Beaux-Arts, he began exhibiting at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1881. A travel grant in 1884 took him to Tunisia, deeply influencing his artistic focus and palette. Surand’s work garnered critical acclaim, and he was honored as a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor in 1909.
Created around 1895, Tigre de l'Annam exemplifies Surand’s talent for blending realism with aesthetic innovation. The tiger, situated in a vibrant, leafy environment, is depicted with extraordinary detail, capturing both the majesty and grace of the animal. Surand's use of rich Orientalist colors and pastel tones influenced by Japonisme creates a unique visual harmony, combining strength with delicacy. This painting is a superb representation of 19th-century academic art, showcasing Surand's ability to merge powerful naturalism with refined stylistic elements.
Surand’s works are held in prestigious collections worldwide, including the Musée d'Orsay, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
