Maurice Prost (1894-1967) - Panther Attacking A Snake

A striking work, “Panther Attacking a Snake” by Maurice Prost, conceived in 1928, powerfully conveys the violence and energy of the animal world. The panther, stretched in a vigorous leap, lunges forward with jaws open toward a snake that twists in desperate defense, creating a dynamic composition of tense, flowing lines.

The sculpted group is made by assembly of parts from the master model (chef-modèle) in patinated bronze, with black tones nuanced by reddish-brown highlights. The unrefined joints, visible swellings, and untrimmed rivets reveal the fabrication process and contribute to the expressive strength of the piece.

Resting on a quadrangular oak base, the work is unsigned (editions of this model were signed on the marble terrace) but benefits from early provenance and workshop documentation. Exhibited as early as 1928 at the Salon de la Samothrace, this model exemplifies Maurice Prost’s exploration of movement and tension.