Bronze Draught Horses Sculpture By Hager Albert (1857-1940)

This bronze sculpture with a dark brown and reddish patina is a remarkable work by Albert Hager (1857-1940), a leading figure in Belgian animalier sculpture. Created in 1925, the piece captures with powerful naturalism the essence of the draft horse, a cornerstone of the rural and industrial world of that era. The composition features two horses: one grazing with its head lowered, while the other stands alert, providing a vertical dynamic and an expressive presence to the group.

The exceptional casting quality is guaranteed by the stamp of the prestigious Fonderie Nationale des Bronzes (Petermann, Saint-Gilles Brussels), a renowned institution that collaborated with the greatest Belgian masters, including Constantin Meunier. The detailed musculature, the texture of the coat, and the sturdy limbs demonstrate rigorous anatomical observation, characteristic of the realist movement of the early 20th century.

This piece is well-documented and listed in the standard reference work by Engelen & Marx, "Sculpture in Belgium since 1830" (page 1793). Signed with the initial "H.", it represents a significant historical and artistic record for collectors of animalier art and Belgian heritage.