Paul Jouve French, 1878-1973
The original gold leaf background highlighted with white gouache and warm “parme” tones on the foreground.
Height: 9.7 in.
Length: 30 in.
Jouve depicted the fictional tiger "Shere-Khan" for the first time in 1919, when he illustrated the famous “Jungle Book” by Rudyard Kipling. The striking modernity of the animal is seen in every cubist plane of the lithograph. This work also greatly influenced his friend and contemporary François Pompon in 1922, when he created his iconic “Polar Bear” sculpture.
The success of this work launched Jouve’s career. Although he never painted or drew Shere-Khan, Jouve produced a limited edition of twenty lithographs of this character in 1920, only three of which are finished in gold leaf. Out of the three, ours is the only one also highlighted with gouache by the artist, making it a rare and unique work of art.
Provenance
Madame Hinglais, Epernay, France. (A close friend and collector of Paul Jouve).
Exhibitions
Société Royale d’Anvers, June 24 - July 12, 1954. Illustrated on the cover of the exhibition brochure.
Literature
Illustrated in “Miroir du monde” July 11, 1931, p.28
Marcilhac, Félix, Paul Jouve, peintre sculpteur animalier, Editions de l’Amateur, 2005 p.98 and 175