Francois Furet, Golden Eagle in Mountain Landscape Fending off Carrion Crows
Price:48000 SEK4272 EUR4608 USDChange Currency
Dimensions: Height 148 cm (59 inches) x Width 89 cm (36 inches)
This captivating painting from around 1890 depicts a Swiss Golden Eagle in a dramatic mountain landscape, fending off Carrion Crows. Oil on canvas, signed F. Furet.
Francois Furet (1842–1919) spent his entire artistic career in Geneva, where he was born and died. Initially trained as an enameller under Louis-Samuel Rosselet, he later studied painting with the renowned Barthélemy Menn, becoming one of his favorite students. Furet began exhibiting his works in Geneva in 1861, focusing primarily on landscape painting, where he achieved both success and recognition.
As a member of the Bovy family’s utopian phalansteries in Gruyères, Furet formed connections with influential artists such as Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot and Gustave Courbet. He also shared a studio with Auguste Baud-Bovy, collaborating on significant projects like the famous diorama of the Blümlisalp. His artistic achievements culminated in contributions to the celebrated panorama of the Swiss Alps by Baud-Bovy (1891–1892). Over his career, he created numerous decorative works, including pieces for the Château de Gruyères, the Grand Théâtre de Genève, and the Plainpalais town hall.
Honored with a medal at the 1889 Universal Exhibition in Paris and the Legion of Honor in 1896, Furet’s works showcased his mastery in capturing the essence of Swiss landscapes and animal life. His legacy endures as a key figure among the "Emulators," a group of Menn’s disciples who shaped Geneva’s artistic identity in the late 19th century. Furet exhibited frequently in Geneva between 1861 and 1898.
An almost pendant painting by Furet, depicting a weasel on watch towards some Hooded Crows, is held in the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, showcasing the artist’s keen eye for capturing wildlife in dynamic, natural settings.
The Golden Eagle, often called the "King of the Skies," boasts an impressive wingspan of up to 2.2 meters. Remarkably, it is the only large predator in Switzerland to have survived the era of intense persecution that eradicated species like the Bearded Vulture, lynx, wolf, and brown bear. Today, Golden Eagle populations in the Alps have recovered and are thriving.
The Carrion Crow, native to western Europe, including Switzerland, complements this scene with its dark, foreboding presence—a perfect counterpoint to the majestic eagle.
The painting is in good condition, with a small tear on the eagle’s left wing (visible in the images). The varnish has yellowed over time, and a cleaning is recommended to restore the painting’s vibrant colors. Also, in this process, restoring the tear. We can arrange for professional restoration locally before delivery if desired.