Behold, the bronze Tigress and Cubs Sculpture. It is not just a sculpture but a frozen moment of maternal instinct and survival. This masterpiece stands here in the Jardin des Tuileries. Auguste Cain created the Tigress and Cubs Sculpture between 1873 and 1876. It captures a tigress bringing a peacock to her two young cubs.
Auguste Cain was a French sculptor born in Paris in 1821. He was known for his realistic depictions of animals. Cain studied under François Rude. He spent time at the Jardin des Plantes studying animal anatomy. This dedication to realism made him famous. He produced small decorative objects and animal figures.
The Tigress and Cubs Sculpture gained recognition at the Paris Salon. It was finally placed in the Jardin des Tuileries in 1884. The sculpture is also known as Tigress Bringing a Peacock to its Young. Some even call it Tigress and Peacock. The sculpture shows the cubs reaching for the peacock. Their mother has brought it for them to eat. This natural depiction was Cain’s specialty.
Cain became known as an animalier. This means he was a sculptor of animals. He created many large statues for French parks and palaces. These included the Chateau de Chantilly and Palais du Luxembourg. The French state commissioned him to adorn these places.
The fine details in Cain’s sculptures earned him worldwide praise. The Tigress and Cubs Sculpture was cast in bronze multiple times. Other versions of it can be found in the United States. Here in the Tuileries Gardens, the Tigress and Cubs Sculpture is near the Vivier Sud. This is a small round basin in the Grand Carre area. Another statue by Cain stands on the north side of the garden. It is by the other pond.
The Tigress and Cubs Sculpture is based on a Bengal tiger. Cain often sculpted tigers and lions. He also created domestic animal sculptures. This sculpture was placed here ten years before his death in 1894. Four other Cain sculptures are in the Jardin des Tuileries. The attention to detail captivated viewers. It still captivates people today.