Two African Marabous (1914) - Guido Righetti (1875–1958)

This evocative double figure sculpture by Guido Righetti, titled Two African Marabous, is a masterful composition created in 1914. Depicting two marabou storks—a species often associated with Africa’s vast landscapes—the piece shows the birds in a moment of quiet interaction, captured with raw energy and emotional sensitivity.
The left-hand bird stands with wings partially unfurled, as though in movement or mid-call, while the right-hand bird remains withdrawn and contemplative, perched on one leg. Together, they form a dramatic visual counterpoint—gesture and stillness, exterior and interior—a duality that is echoed in the surface treatment. The textured, expressive modelling animates the birds’ feathers, wings, and stance, conveying not only their anatomy but a sense of inner presence.
The bronze bears a rich brown patina with warm undertones and highlights, enhancing the depth of the modelling and reflecting the play of light across its surfaces. The work is mounted on a veined brown marble base, whose sober luxury complements the sculptural rhythm of the composition.
Deux Marabouts africains is referenced in Guido Righetti by Poletti & Richarme (UDB, 2007), p. 81, sculpture no. 52. The present cast is an authentic Italian edition executed during the artist’s lifetime—predating the posthumous Univers du Bronze editions of the 21st century—and represents a rare historical iteration faithful to Righetti’s original artistic vision.
Stylistically, the work resonates with the early 20th-century animalier avant-garde. Like his contemporary Rembrandt Bugatti, Righetti embraced the vitality and individuality of animal subjects, rejecting idealization in favor of tactile expressiveness. The influence of their shared mentor, Paolo Troubetzkoy, is evident in the intuitive, impressionistic modelling that captures not only form but atmosphere and emotion.
Two African Marabous is a compelling example of Righetti’s sculptural voice—poetic, modern, and rooted in attentive observation of the animal world.