Georges-Lucien Guyot (1885-1973)

Georges Guyot was born in Paris, in the working-class Bastille district, where the majority of art craftsmen lived. As a teenager, his gift for drawing became apparent, and he apprenticed with a local woodcarver. Guyot discovered the works of Barye during a visit to the Louvre, and decided to change direction. He wanted to make animal sculptures and learn to work with other materials. In 1904, during his military service in Rouen, he was authorized to take several courses at the local art school.

In 1906, he exhibited for the first time at the Salon des Artistes Français with a statue of a begging bear. In 1909, he exhibited his first work in bronze, and from then on devoted himself exclusively to sculpture. In 1910, he was awarded a bronze medal. During this period, he mainly exhibited dog figures and a few busts. These early works were highly realistic, but soon afterwards he began to stylize his statues further, while preserving their naturalism.

At the start of the First World War, Guyot was declared unfit for service on medical grounds. After the war, he left the Salon des Artistes Français for the Salon des Indépendants, where he exhibited until 1950. He also exhibits regularly at the Salon d'Automne. The Musée d'Art Moderne acquired his Seated Bear in 1923, and his White Bear was a great success at the Salon des Indépendants. Recurring themes in his work are bears, cats and monkeys. As well as being a sculptor, he was also a fine painter, draughtsman and engraver.

His bronzes were produced by Susse Frères, Méroni-Radice, Godard and Valsuani. Posthumous bronzes are mostly cast by Fonderie de la Plaine. Some terracotta models were published by Susse and Sèvres.

His works are part of several museum collections, including the Musée d'art moderne de la Ville de Paris. A large bear by Guyot can also be seen at the Vincennes Zoo. His work is also very popular with collectors of animal sculptures, and forms part of several major collections.