18 new and interesting exhibits appeared at the exhibition “The Friend’s Image” with the works by the internationally recognized masters of European animalistic plastic art of the period from the second half of the 19th century to the first half of the 20th century. There are already more than a hundred bronze sculptures in the exposition at the moment, and the new famous names appeared in the range of the sculptors. The theme of the exposition also expanded significantly: in addition to the sculptures of dogs, the other animals are also represented in it.
The exposition’s place of honour is still occupied by the works by the representatives of the famous School of Paris that played a main part in the formation and the spread of animalistic genre in European sculpture. Some of the new exhibits represent the creative work of those distinguished masters who were initially represented at the exhibition. These are the sculptures Lioness and Cubs by the father of animalistic genre Antoine-Louis Barye (1796-1875), Family of Merino Sheep by Jules Moigniez (1835-1894), Goat by Ferdinand Pautrot (1832-1874), Muletier and Spanish Musician on a Mule by Isidore Jules Bonheur (1827-1901), The two friends, dog and cat by Charles Paillet (1871-1937), Three Coursing Greyhounds by Maximilian Louis Fiot (1886–1953), Monkey and Cat by Thomas François Cartier (1879-1943).
In addition, the visitors of the exhibition will discover the range of new striking names. An ingenious composition Monkey Riding a Horse by Paul Joseph Raymond Gayrard (1807-1855), one of the pioneers of animalistic genre, will definitely attract the attention. One of the best pupils of the famous Antoine-Louis Barye, Arthur Jacques Le Duc’s (1848-1918) Children on a Farm Horse impresses with its perfection and craftsmanship. These work of great talent should be considered a sculptural implementation of the idea of equine-assisted therapy, the rehabilitation with adaptive horse riding. The sculptor represented three boys who are trying to saddle up. Their clumsy, childish figures look touching and even comical on the background of a powerful silhouette of a beautiful stallion. At the same time, these restless little riders demonstrate pleasure and joy.
It should be reminded that the exhibition “The Friend’s Image” opened on September 23 is aimed not only to show the masterpieces of European animalistic plastic art to the wide public, but also to promote the tolerant and responsible attitude to animals in our society, as well as the high culture of contact with the nature and its perception as a common value for all people. The idea of the exhibition completely accord with the mission of the Feldman Ecopark Centre of Psychosocial Rehabilitation practicing such unconventional methods of health improving activity as animal-assisted therapy and equine-assisted therapy aimed at the communication of children and teenagers with animals.
