Albéric COLLIN (1886-1962) -Four Little Polar Bears

Bronze with brown patina on a green base
Lost-wax casting by Fonderie de Groeve
Posthumous cast, 1980s
Founder’s stamp on the terrace, right side
Signed “Albéric Collin” on the naturalistic terrace, at the front
Numbered 1/8 –

Dimensions:
Height: 14 cm
Length: 54 cm
Width: 13 cm

Bibliography:
Identical model in white ceramic reproduced in Engelen-Marx, La Sculpture en Belgique – Vol. 1, p. 586

Biography:

Albéric Collin: A Master of Animal Sculpture

Born in Antwerp in 1886, Albéric Collin is today recognized as one of the greatest Belgian animal sculptors. After promising beginnings in caricature and figurative sculpture, he soon turned towards the animal world, finding at the Antwerp Zoo an inexhaustible source of inspiration.

A decisive encounter
It was there that he met Rembrandt Bugatti, whose influence on his work would be considerable. Their deep friendship, marked by mutual admiration, profoundly shaped Collin’s style. As he would later confess: “Rembrandt advised me, helped me, and pushed me to perfect my art.”

A stylized animal universe
Through meticulous observation of animals, Collin succeeded in capturing their very essence. His sculptures, often in bronze, are distinguished by their dynamism, simplicity, and elegance. He did not merely reproduce forms: he expressed the emotions and attitudes of animals. Movement is at the heart of his work; details are enhanced, surfaces fluid.

A recognized artist
During his career, Albéric Collin took part in numerous exhibitions in Belgium and abroad, winning many prizes and distinctions. His monumental works, such as the elephants created for the World’s Fairs in Antwerp and Brussels, bear witness to his talent and renown.

Even today, Albéric Collin’s sculptures are highly prized by collectors and art lovers. They can be admired in many museums, particularly in Belgium, as well as at the Antwerp Zoo, where they were originally created.