Pompon museum

Francois Pompon was born in Saulieu in 1855, this is the little house in which he was born. The upstairs half of the house, accessed by a small door on the left, is now a gite. In 1870 Pompon left for Dijon to work as an apprentice stonemason in a marble workshop. However this was really just to support him whilst attending evening classes on sculpture. He later moved to Paris where he worked as a stonemason in a funeral parlour by day, and attended school in the evenings.

In 1890 he joined Auguste Rodin’s studio, where he helped him in the marble depot. He soon gained his trust and was introduced to many of Rodin’s friends and contemporaries, including Camille Claudel.

His early work was realistic in its approach, I would say quite romantic in its style.

It wasn’t until 1905 when he started to develop his unique modern style for sculpting birds and animals.

Probably the most famous being his polar bear, which he would have studied at his local zoo. I think he’s just adorable with his big padded feet. Pompon would polish the surfaces removing finer details, creating stylised ‘but perfectly observed’ forms.

I also loved this sculpture of Pompon, strangely familiar in its characterisation.

After the museum we headed out to visit the small village of Chateauneuf. It sits at the top of a hill, looking very commanding in its position overlooking the surrounding countryside. It is well known for its quaint little streets, and old buildings, which nowadays are filled with artist studios, and little cafés to wander round and enjoy. Unfortunately the castle is currently closed, as they are improving the access at the front of the building. I believe it will reopen in May. So for us, we will plan to come back one day.