Lizard

Art Historical Context

Behold the striking *Lizard*, a glazed stoneware sculpture from around 1887, created at La Grande Tuilerie inry, France, with attributions to sculptors Emile Muller and Emmanuel Frémiet. Measuring an impressive 23⅝ × 29⅞ × 12¼, this oversized ceramic creature captures the imagination, blending realism with a hint of the fantastical—evident in its "Mythical Creatures" tag Frémiet, a master of animalier sculpture renowned for dynamic bronze works like charging gorillas and winged dragons, likely contributed his expertise in modeling lifelike yet otherworldly beasts. Glazed stoneware, a durable medium fired at high temperatures for a glossy, weather-resistant finish, was ideal for large-scale decorative pieces during France's late 19th-century ceramic renaissance. Produced at La Grande Tuilerie, a leading pottery studio, this work exemplifies the era's fusion of industrial techniques with artistic flair, bridging sculpture and decorative arts. Its vibrant glaze enhances the lizard's scaly texture and coiled form, evoking both natural wonder and mythic allure. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2003 through generous gifts, *Lizard* invites visitors to ponder humanity's fascination with reptiles as symbols of power and mystery—from ancient lore to modern fantasy. A testament to French ingenuity, it shines in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection.

About the Artist

Emile Muller|La Grande Tuilerie, Ivry, France|Emmanuel Frémiet (French) · 1854 –1969

founded 1854