Christophe Fratin Archive

Christophe Fratin
French, 1801 – 1864
Rinbow – Cheval Arabe, 1835
Bronze, dark brown patina
12 1/8 H. x 14 1/2 W. x 4 3/4 D. inches
Signed: FRATIN in naturalistic base, 
Stamped Underside: R

BRONZE MODEL OF “RINBOW – CHEVAL ARABE” BY CHRISTOPHE FRATIN
Patinated bronze, signed FRATIN in naturalistic base, cold-stamped R to underside; circa 1835

This model is referenced in Lami as Rinbow, étalon appartenant à M. Rieussec and was presented at the 1835 Paris Salon as no. 2253.  It is pictured in Christopher Payne’s volume on animal bronzes (see below) where interestingly it has the same cold-stamped R to the underside as the model pictured in that volume.

A rich and incredibly rare work by Fratin, this very fine model of an Arabian Stallion is notable for the fluid textured surface captured in the bronze directly from the mold. It enjoys a translucent surface patina with an overall brown patination against black recesses and hints of red. Typical of his lifetime works, the model is remarkably crisp and has been executed to the highest of standards.

The reference to M. Rieussec may relate to the well-known and successful French watchmaker, Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec (July 20, 1781 – June 18, 1866).

Artist Listings & Bibliography:

• Dictionnaire des Sculpteurs de L’École Française, vol. II, Stanislas Lami, 1970, p. 404
• Animals in Bronze, Christopher Payne, 1986, p. 273