Guido Righetti - (1875-1958), Bronze Fighting Tigers n°1

This masterful bronze sculpture, titled "Fighting Tigers No. 1", is an iconic creation by Guido Righetti (1875-1958), a leading figure in 20th-century Italian animalier sculpture. Originally conceived in 1919, this piece is part of a series of three variations exploring the power and ferocity of feline combat. The model presented here is a vintage Italian casting from circa 1930, showcasing the technical virtuosity of Italian foundries during the interwar period.

The sculpture captures a moment of savage intensity: two tigers locked in violent struggle, their bodies merging into a single mass of muscle and tension. Righetti moves beyond academic realism toward a nervous, impressionistic modeling, prioritizing dynamic movement and raw emotion. The bronze surface, richly textured, interacts with light through a stunning red-brown patina with subtle green highlights, enhancing the depth of the forms.

Signed "G. Righetti", this casting is a rare collector's item, documented in the definitive catalogue raisonné by Michel Polletti and Alain Richarme (Guido Righetti, UDB, 2007, p. 120). With its substantial proportions (40.5 cm in length), it perfectly embodies the artist’s genius for capturing animal psychology in its most instinctive and dramatic state.