The French animal sculptor Michel Bassompierre died on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Nantes at the age of 78, his family announced.
Bassompierre, known for his smooth, rounded bronze and marble sculptures of bears, gorillas, elephants, horses and pandas, had installed his studio near Nantes fifty years ago after training at the École des Beaux-Arts de Rouen under René Leleu.
His family said his death followed a head injury from a fainting episode that left him in an irreversible coma.
His works were displayed in major public spaces worldwide
The sculptor’s pieces appeared in prominent locations including Paris’s Jardin des Plantes and Boulevard Haussmann, Modern York’s Park Avenue, La Mamounia in Marrakech and Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum.
He aimed to make art accessible in public spaces to highlight the beauty and fragility of living creatures, often pairing exhibitions with talks by scientists and conservation groups.
He spoke of a deep connection to the animal world
In a 2025 interview, Bassompierre said the wild animal world had always attracted him, adding: “Maybe because I am a wild beast without knowing it.”
Actor François Cluzet admired his work, saying in 2025 that Bassompierre’s sculptures conveyed humility, humanity and benevolence in the animals’ eyes.
What was Michel Bassompierre known for?
He was a French sculptor specializing in animal subjects, particularly bears, gorillas, elephants, horses and pandas, characterized by smooth, rounded forms in bronze and marble.
Where were his sculptures exhibited?
His works were displayed in public spaces such as Paris’s Jardin des Plantes and Boulevard Haussmann, New York’s Park Avenue, La Mamounia in Marrakech and Monaco’s Oceanographic Museum.