Hippopotamus Statue – François Pompon Modern Animal Sculpture (POM02)

Hippopotamus Statue – Smooth-Sided Modern Sculpture by François Pompon

This hippopotamus statue captures the mass and personality of a hippo in Pompon’s famous smooth style. The animal lifts its head and opens its mouth wide. The pose feels bold, almost theatrical. Yet the surface remains calm and simplified.

French sculptor François Pompon became celebrated for animal sculptures that feel modern and timeless. He did not chase tiny textures. He shaped the body into rounded, unified forms. Light moves cleanly across the curves. That is the quiet “magic trick” of a Pompon animal.

Why Pompon’s Animals Feel So Modern

Pompon studied animals through close observation and repeated modeling. He refined forms until nothing felt extra. In the early 1900s, this was a big change. Many sculptures still relied on busy surfaces and dramatic detail. Pompon chose clarity instead.

This Pompon hippopotamus statue shows that approach perfectly. The hippo looks formidable. But it also looks sculpturally “pure.” You can read the animal at a glance. The rounded back and thick legs do the storytelling.

From Rodin’s Circle to Pompon’s Own Voice

Pompon trained as a stone carver and later worked in Paris studios. He also worked with Auguste Rodin’s studio. That experience sharpened his eye for structure and weight. But Pompon’s mature style moved in a different direction. He aimed for simplified mass and controlled silhouette.

His late recognition is part of the Pompon story. His animal works became widely admired after the success of his polar bear in the 1920s. Today, Pompon is a key name in modern animal sculpture. Museums and collectors still respond to that calm strength.

Parastone Mouseion 3D Museum Replica

This hippopotamus statue is a museum-style replica from the Parastone Mouseion 3D Collection. It is made from resin with hand-applied color details that resemble a bronze finish. It also includes educational cards with artwork and artist information.

• Collection: Parastone Mouseion 3D Museum Collection
• Material: Resin with hand-painted bronze-like finish
• Included: Full color artwork card and artist/artwork description card (multilingual)
• Size: 6.5 in L × 5 in W × 3 in D
• Weight: 1.6 lbs
• Part Number: PN POM02

Display Notes

This hippopotamus statue works well on a shelf, console, or desk where you can see the open mouth. Place it where light skims the surface. That is when Pompon’s smooth modeling looks most alive. It also pairs nicely with art books about modern sculpture or animal art.

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Explore More Pompon Statues

If you enjoy Pompon’s smooth-sided animals, here are three related Pompon pieces collectors often display together:

• François Pompon Owl Statue (multiple sizes)
• François Pompon Polar Bear Sculpture (multiple sizes)
• Running Rabbit (Lapin Courant) Statue by Pompon

You can also browse more museum replica animals in our statues collection.

Auction Notes and “Original Cast” Editions

Collectors often ask how Pompon’s originals perform at auction. Prices vary by size, material, and casting date. For example, a marble version of Pompon’s Ours blanc realized $350,000 at Christie’s (2019). That gives a sense of how prized Pompon’s top subjects can be in original form.

Another key question is how many casts count as “original” in French practice. Under French intellectual property rules used by major institutions, a sculpture edition limited to twelve numbered casts can be treated as an original work. This twelve typically includes 8 numbered casts plus 4 artist’s copies. Museums such as the Musée Rodin describe this 12-cast framework and numbering convention. This helps collectors understand why foundry marks, numbering, and documentation matter.

For More Reading

• Read about François Pompon in the collection notes of the Gunma Museum of Modern Art .
• Learn how French institutions define “original” bronze editions at the Musée Rodin .
• Explore the idea of “original bronze casts” in museum practice at the Musée Rodin original casts page .