Rembrandt Bugatti Sculptures - Elephant Statue - Signed

Amazing Animal Bronze - “Indian Elephant” - Signed Rembrandt Bugatti

This magnificent elephant statue, titled Indian Elephant, is a testament to the unparalleled genius of Rembrandt Bugatti, one of the most iconic sculptors of the early twentieth century. Captured in a moment of proud ascent, this sculpture elephant radiates a primal energy that speaks directly to Bugatti’s obsessive devotion to observing and honoring the raw vitality of the animal kingdom. The work is not only an artistic representation but a living homage to the physicality and emotional depth of its subject.

Rembrandt Bugatti – A Short Life, A Lasting Legacy

Born in Milan on October 16, 1884, Rembrandt Bugatti was the younger brother of famed automobile designer Ettore Bugatti, but he carved out a name for himself in a realm far removed from machines. Deeply immersed in a world of art from birth—his father, Carlo Bugatti, was a renowned furniture designer—Rembrandt found his passion in modeling animals. He spent countless hours studying live animals in the Paris Jardin des Plantes and the Antwerp Zoo, forming a unique sculptural vocabulary rooted in movement, anatomy, and empathy. His tragically short life ended in Paris in 1916, but Rembrandt Bugatti sculptures remain enduring symbols of natural elegance.

Indian Majesty Captured in Motion

This statue elephant is not a static effigy but a bold expression of gesture and posture. With its raised trunk and weight poised on powerful hind legs, the figure conveys strength without aggression, joy without caricature. The rough-textured surface heightens the impression of movement and muscle, accentuating Bugatti’s remarkable ability to distill vitality into form. This elephant statue doesn’t merely depict an animal—it embodies its spirit. Among Rembrandt Bugatti sculptures, this work stands out for its vertical thrust and symbolic presence.

Bronze as Language of Emotion and Texture

The use of bronze as the medium for this sculpture elephant is no coincidence. Bugatti chose bronze not for its permanence alone but for its capacity to absorb and reflect light in ways that mimic living skin, muscle, and emotion. In this sculpture, he manipulates patina and contour to evoke the nuances of age, mass, and grace. The burnished finish and nuanced texture give the impression of a creature both mythic and tangible, ancient and immediate.

The Creation and Signature of a Masterpiece

This elephant statue was conceived between 1910 and 1914, during Bugatti’s Antwerp period—his most prolific years for animal sculpture. Signed clearly with Rembrandt Bugatti, the work reflects the artist’s growing psychological depth and formal control during that period. The attention to proportion, the tension between surface and structure, and the underlying serenity mark it as a mature work. Every detail of the cast, from the slightly tensed ears to the curved trunk, reflects the hand of a sculptor who did not invent forms, but translated life into bronze.

The Soul of the Elephant in Bronze

More than a representation of the Indian elephant, this sculpture is a deeply personal act of reverence. Unlike the more romantic or decorative depictions of elephants common in the late 19th century, Rembrandt Bugatti sculptures aim for honesty and intimacy. This statue elephant is not monumental in size but monumental in presence. Bugatti’s elephants are not exotic curiosities—they are dignified beings, modeled with the empathy of an artist who truly knew his subjects.

Collector’s Treasure and Museum Rarity

This elephant sculpture is a coveted piece among collectors and institutions. Rembrandt Bugatti sculptures are seldom available on the market, with many held by leading museums such as the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and the National Gallery of Canada. The acquisition of a sculpture elephant like this is not just the purchase of an object, but a communion with one of the most sensitive animal sculptors of all time.

A Work that Transcends Time and Species

In a world increasingly distanced from nature, this elephant statue reconnects us to something ancient and universal. It speaks not only of animal grace but also of human understanding. Through the hands of Rembrandt Bugatti, bronze becomes voice, presence, and soul. This statue elephant does not just recall the elephant—it is the elephant, reborn in eternal form.

Width: 16 cm
Height: 37 cm
Depth: 16 cm
Weight: 3,5 kg
100% Bronze