Marmotte dressée (Standing Marmot)

1964

Marmot – Global Warming – Threatened Habitat

Robert Hainard, a Geneva-based sculptor and animal engraver, created Marmotte dressée (Standing Marmot) in 1964, a sculpture inspired by his direct observations of marmots in the Alps. Carved from limestone and presented in life-size, the sculpture faithfully depicts this iconic animal of the Swiss mountains. Standing alert on its hind legs, the marmot is attentive to its surroundings. Through this posture, the work indirectly invites the viewer to take a more conscious look at the world around them. Today, the marmot is endangered due to climate change, hunting, and the intensification of mountain tourism. The sculpture thus resonates with contemporary ecological concerns. Deeply committed to nature conservation, Hainard was one of the co-founders in 1928 of the Association for the Creation and Maintenance of Nature Reserves in the Canton of Geneva, now known as Pro Natura Geneva. Through his art, he seeks to reveal the intimate and fragile lives of Swiss animals, in order to raise public awareness of their vulnerability.

Written by: Camille Thibaut