Tigre de l'Annam (c. 1895) by Gustave Surand

Tigre de l'AnnamGustave Surand (French, 1860–1937) Oil on canvas35 1/4 x 46 1/16 in.Signed "GVE, SURAND" (lower left) Gustave Paul Alexandre Surand, a Paris-born painter and sculptor, was renowned for his mastery in portraying wild animals, particularly large felines. Educated under Jean-Paul Laurens at the École des Beaux-Arts, he began exhibiting at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1881. A travel grant in 1884 took him to Tunisia, deeply influencing his artistic focus and palette. Surand’s work garnered critical acclaim, and he was honored as a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor in 1909. Created around 1895, Tigre de l'Annam exemplifies Surand’s talent for blending realism with aesthetic innovation. The tiger, situated in a vibrant, leafy environment, is depicted with extraordinary detail, capturing both the majesty and grace of the animal. Surand's use of rich Orientalist colors and pastel tones influenced by Japonisme creates a unique visual harmony, combining strength with