Cormoran - Auguste TREMONT (1892-1980)

Bronze with a black patina
cast by VALSUANI

A similar model is reproduced in "Dictionnaire illustré des Sculpteurs animaliers", J.C. Hachet, Argus Valentines, 2005, t.II, page 634.

France
mid 20th century
height 31 cm

Biography :
Auguste Nicolas Trémont (1892-1980) called Auguste Trémont was a Luxembourgish painter and sculptor, specialized in animal sculpture. After spending his childhood in Luxembourg, Auguste Trémont moved to Paris where he enrolled at the School of Decorative Arts in 1909. The First World War surprised him during a visit to Luxembourg. While attempting to return to Paris via Switzerland, he was arrested and imprisoned by the German forces. Once released, Trémont returned to Luxembourg where he remained until the end of the war in 1918, working in a steel mill in Dudelange. This work gave him the opportunity to put his skills into practice by drawing metalworkers into action.

At the end of the war, Trémont returned to Paris where he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts. He specialized first in portraits, views of Paris and still lifes. His themes changed when he visits the Jardin des Plantes, the zoo with animals. When asked later why he chose to represent animals, he replied, "because it was the most difficult task." In 1924, Auguste Trémont made his first sculptures. The late 1920s and early 1930s are his most productive years. It was during this period that he sculpted in Paris two large lions that now adorn the entrance to the Luxembourg City Hall. Trémont spent the second world war in Paris then returned to Luxembourg at the end of the war where he created monuments for the victims of the war. He ended up returning to his still lifes painted in oil and his portraits. His work was exhibited in Paris at the Ruhlmann Art Gallery, then at the Edgar Brandt Gallery.