Guido Righetti (1875–1958) - Sacred Hamadryas Baboon (Model c. 1917)

This rare and striking sculpture by Guido Righetti, titled Sacred Hamadryas Baboon, is a compelling study of the sacred primate rendered in a modern, expressive idiom. Modeled in 1917, the work encapsulates Righetti’s unique sensitivity to animal form and character, evoking both the spiritual weight and majestic stillness of its subject. The baboon is shown seated, its posture compact and inwardly coiled, the massive head bowed in what seems a contemplative or solemn gesture.
Righetti's modelling is vigorous and deeply expressive. The surface is animated by sweeping tool marks and textured planes that capture the thick folds of the animal’s fur and the almost architectural structure of its body. The bronze has a dark brown patina enriched by warmer highlights and greenish undertones, subtly enhancing the dynamic modelling and lending depth and presence to the work.
While some of Righetti’s animalier subjects evoke movement or confrontation, this baboon stands apart in its aura of meditative quietude. The modeling draws attention to the animal’s head and upper body, with its monumental mane-like form, echoing traditional representations of power and sacredness. The sculpture emanates a sense of monumentality despite its relatively modest scale.
This piece is referenced in the artist’s monograph by Poletti & Richarme (Guido Righetti, UDB, 2007) on page 40 as sculpture no. 13. The model predates the Univers du Bronze editions of the 21st century and is considered an early cast—most likely from the artist’s lifetime—distinguished by its nuanced surface and historically appropriate patination.
Mounted on a custom-cut marble base of 10 cm in height, the sculpture is elegantly presented while remaining grounded and visually coherent with its subject’s monumental bearing.
Stylistically, Righetti’s Sacred Hamadryas Baboon aligns with the expressive animalier tradition in early modern sculpture. Like Rembrandt Bugatti—his contemporary and fellow pupil of Paolo Troubetzkoy—Righetti infused his animal studies with a psychological dimension, merging naturalistic observation with bold formal abstraction. The influence of Troubetzkoy is visible in the fluid modelling and spontaneous texturing, revealing the artist’s hand and emotion in the very material of the bronze.
Though less widely known than some of his peers, Guido Righetti’s animal sculptures are highly sought after by collectors for their emotional intensity, sculptural depth, and reverent treatment of the animal world. Sacred Hamadryas Baboon is a profound and rare example—a testament to the spiritual resonance Righetti found in nature and form.