Busacca Gallery

A breathtaking masterpiece awaits in the form of "Standing Bull," a remarkable bronze sculpture crafted by the renowned French artist Jules Moigniez. Dating back to circa 1870, this French antique stands as a testament to Moigniez’s exceptional skill and artistic vision. The sculpture is authentically signed by the artist, adding an element of exclusivity to its already commanding presence. Cast during the third quarter of the 19th century, the piece features a rich brown surface patination with rubbed highlights that bring out a warm, golden hue. The powerful bull is depicted standing atop a naturalistic base adorned with tufts of grass and mottled earth, his hooves sinking slightly into the ground as he gazes alertly into the distance. The base is signed in Moigniez’s characteristic style—“J. Moigniez”—near the rear hoof. It is mounted on an integral stepped plinth with faceted corners and is finished on the underside with its original pinewood insert. Details: Title: Standing Bull Artist: Jules Moigniez Date of Creation: Circa 1870 Culture: French Region of Origin: Paris, France Country/Region of Manufacture: France Material: Bronze Production Technique: Bronze Casting Style: Figurative Art Subject: Animals Format: Statue Size: Medium Item Dimensions: Height: 10.75 in Length: 12.63 in Width: 5.13 in Color: Brown Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original Features: Limited Edition Quantity Type: Single-Piece Work Custom Detail: French Bronze Sculpture "Standing Bull" by Jules Moigniez Time Period Produced: 1850–1899 Signed: Yes

Throughout history, bulls have held profound symbolic and spiritual significance in many cultures across the world. In ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley, bulls were revered as powerful symbols of fertility, strength, and virility. The Apis bull in ancient Egypt, for example, was considered a living deity and served as an intermediary between humans and the gods. In Minoan Crete, bull-leaping rituals reflected both reverence and the desire to harness the animal's strength. In Hinduism, the bull Nandi is the sacred mount of Lord Shiva and is still worshiped today as a guardian and symbol of dharma. The bull’s physical power, dominance in nature, and role in agricultural societies as a provider of labor and life-giving fertility made it a natural object of worship and mythological importance across cultures and eras.