Bruce Hasson Verdigris Bronze Puma Sculpture, Signed and Numbered, Early 2000s

A very handsome and engaging circa early 2000s signed and numbered Brutalist cast bronze sculpture of a puma by world renowned San Francisco Bay Area sculptor and painter Bruce Hasson (b. 1954).

The big cat—deemed a puma based on its similarity to the one in a titled sculpture from his “Plight of the Animals” series, but conceivably a mountain lion, panther, or particularly healthy domestic feline–lounges languidly upon a rectangular platform. A big paw hangs over the front, while a long tail extends well past the back, giving the sculpture wonderful dimensionality. As relaxed as its body looks, though, its eyes remain alert and sharply focused.

Brutalist/Expressionist work displays fantastic and loose natural texture and character from top to bottom, having been initially crafted in clay of small built-up applied pieces. Calls to mind the works of Alberto and Diego Giacometti—both inspirations to Hasson—and especially the latter, whose work features many similarly executed animals. Verdigris finish is a fantastic shade of bluish-green, with hints of natural bronze intentionally peeking through in spots and adding to the depth of color.

Numbered and signed “© 1/50 Hasson” in the artist’s hand in the casting on the side of the platform. The piece came to us untitled, and our research uncovered no other matching examples. We’ve dated it based on examples of his work that bear a similar theme and aesthetic; however, it could be from as early as the mid-to-late-1980s, another period during which he produced cast bronze animals.

Dimensions listed are overall; platform is H 1.75 x W 9.5 x D 4.5. Single piece casting weighs a substantial 16 pounds.

Bruce Hasson lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area, and studied at the University of California-Santa Cruz before continuing at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy, and the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo, Italy. He draws his influences from a broad spectrum that includes artists and designers such as Naum Gabo, David Smith, and Isamu Noguchi, as well as early Latin American and Etruscan cultures.

Per Berenson Fine Art: “After 1989, he has spent much time in Latin America, including Peru, where Machu Picchu made an indelible impression. He places great value in the sculpture of the Aztecs as well as the Incas. The Archaic Etruscan style, in all its primitive crudeness, beautiful simplicity and realism has also been a significant influence in the artwork of Bruce Hasson over the last 35 years.”

Through the years, Hasson’s sculptures have often conveyed strong themes of peace, disarmament, and the conservation of nature. His 1,700 pound “Millenia Bell” was first installed at the Campidoglio in Rome during the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize Conference as a monument to human survival, and was struck by Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev during its dedication.

Notable public works in San Francisco by the artist include “The Ark” in Father Alfred E. Boeddeker Park, a powerful 1985 bronze drawing attention to the preservation of endangered animals and their natural habitats; and 1989’s “Trolleys” at the Polk-Bush Garage, 56 cast aluminum balustrades and a balcony based on the human form and transportation, and part of the San Francisco Arts Commission Collection.

Across the bay at Berkeley City Hall you’ll find Hasson’s 2002 “Peace Bell”, crafted from the steel of melted guns. In fact, many of his bronzes were cast in Berkeley at expert craftsman Piero Mussi’s Artworks foundry alongside those by fellow sculptors Stephen de Staebler, Arnaldo Pomodoro, Nathan Oliveira, Jack Zajac, and Peter Voulkos.

An hour-and-a-half drive up the coast off Highway 1 in Bodega Bay one will find “The Children’s Bell Tower” memorial by the artist, an elegant three-tiered steel scaffold with 140 chimes, which further speaks to Hasson’s incredibly varied and creative output.

Dimensions:
Height: 7 in
Width: 14.5 in
Depth: 5.5 in

Condition: Good
Wear consistent with age and use.
In very good condition. Mostly small instances of faintly worn verdigris finish looks to us to be intentional by the artist. Only issue to note is a missing nut on the underside of the sculpture for mounting it to base; one mounting nut does remain.