Hand-patinated reproduction. Mold made from an impression of the original work exhibited at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Dijon.
Pompon stylises the animal by smoothing its body to the point of purity and insisting on the fixity of its attitude.
In reaction to Rodin's expressionism, François Pompon turned to animal themes, drawing inspiration from the animals he observed in the Jardin des Plantes. The owl is represented in a static position. The purification of the line and the polishing of the work highlight the eyes and contribute to the impression of attentive staring that characterises this bird. Pompon worked on the owl theme between 1918 and 1923. There are two versions, either with protruding eyes or with hollow eyes (as this reproduction here).
