Original works of art

Fratin, the son of a taxidermist, was born in Metz, but after some initial success under the sculptor, Pioche, Fratin was later accepted as a pupil under the well-known painter and sculptor, Theodore Gericault, and stayed in Paris. He did not have a foundry of his own, but relied on others to produce his bronzes. Many of his works were completed only in plaster or terra cotta. The castings of his work are in general of good quality, many of which were produced at his own expense at the Quesnels workshop.

Fratin showed at the Salon for the first time in 1831, the same year that Barye exhibited his "Tiger Devouring a Gavial." He was popular in England and received many prizes in France, as well as the patronage of several departments of state. In addition, Fratin received commissions from as far afield as Germany, Austria and America. Jane Horswell, in "Les Animaliers," states that in 1851 at the Great Exhibition in England, he was described as "the greatest animal sculptor of his day.".