This is a beautifully sculpted bronze elephant by Barbara Beretich. The elephant comes across as playful with one of his front legs raised on a ball, much like a circus elephant. His trunk is curled up and tusks raised. The bronze is signed on the ball and the hand applied patina is a rich blue green. Below some information on the artist:
During her younger years in California, Beretich’s family raised multiple animals including hogs, cows, sheep and horses, influencing her artwork. Her work is very versatile including equine, other animals, human figures and abstract work. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a BA in art. The following year Beretich spent time in Europe where she met and became lifelong friends with French artist, Francoise Gilot. Later, she moved to Claremont CA where she earned an MFA in sculpture and became one of the major influences among the “Claremont School” of artists. Later in her life she established her home based gallery in Claremont and featured specialty work by other Claremont artists. Her home gallery was given historical-site status by the city of Claremont CA.
