L’ours Polaire 1920

François Pompon made this polar bear out of stone sometime in the early 20th century, and what I like most about it is how he seems to have got at it almost indirectly. Instead of building up the form, it’s like he’s pared away at it, leaving these smooth, clean surfaces. The texture is so important here, right? It's what gives the piece its tactile appeal, making you want to reach out and touch it. The stone has this cool, solid feel, but there's also a sense of softness in the rounded shapes. If you look closely, you can see the subtle variations in the surface, like the slightly rougher texture around the paws, which gives it a sense of groundedness. The way the light catches the curves is really beautiful, creating a play of shadows that emphasizes the volume and form. Pompon reminds me of Brancusi in a way, both aiming for a kind of essential form, but Pompon's polar bear has this playful simplicity that feels totally unique.