«Tiger». 1927. Vasily Vatagin. Wood. Dimensions: 59×70×35 cm. Tactile model. Plastic.
The tiger is depicted in a distinctive «threatening» posture: it has raised its front paws, lowered its head, flattened its ears, and tucked its tail. Its eyes glare menacingly from under its brow, and one can almost hear its growl. The muscles are tense, as if poised for a leap. The tiger is a predator—strong and agile—and it is issuing a warning of danger.
As a talented sculptor, V. A. Vatagin sought to move away from scientific rationalism and pedantic academic dryness. He employed artistic devices such as the formulaic generalization of volumes and expressive plasticity to convey the characteristic behavior of the animal. His works are succinct and recognizable «portraits» of animals, each with its own unique «character.»
The sculptor repeatedly turned to depicting tigers in various techniques and materials. He drew Ussuri tigers in different situations from their lives, particularly enjoying portraying these large predatory cats stalking their prey. The copy of the sculpture presented in the exhibition, from the collection of the State Russian Museum, offers an opportunity to become acquainted with the nature of this powerful, predatory animal.
The sculptor masterfully captured the tension of this moment, admiring the plasticity of movement and the beauty of this creature.
by Arseniy Danilov