François RATY (1928-1982) Bull Exceptional sculpture in brown glazed ceramic with ochre shades. Incised signature and date "Raty 1954". Height: 24.5 cm W : 30.5 cm P. D : 18 cm Condition report available from the firm: 02 38 54 00 00. Provenance: Orléans, Private Collection Biography : François RATY (1928-1982) - French ceramist, painter, goldsmith and sculptor born in Paris, he studied drawing and painting from 1946 to 1948 at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière where he met Met de Penninghen. From 1949, he exhibited his paintings at the Galerie la Peau de Porc in Paris. A pupil of René Maurel in the 1950s, he trained in the pottery town of Vallauris. Very early on, he turned to modelling animals or characters inspired by Nordic or Oceanic mythology. The stylistic characteristics that emerge are vigour, strength, excessiveness and a solemn, static quality that recalls the posture of a warrior. Like Pablo Picasso and other great names, he draws his inspiration from the animal world: birds, monkeys, fennecs, bulls, horses, gorillas and even insects populate his hieratic creations. Most of his pieces are one-offs, with sophisticated, highly refined designs, then carefully engraved and enhanced with brown enamels. After 1968, he worked in metal: copper, iron, zinc and brass. His works are rare on the market and can be found in numerous collections and museums in France and abroad. ABMG Expertise: Ange Baron and Maxime Grail - [email protected] - 06 10 49 83 38