This summer, three joyful hare sculptures by Barry Flanagan enjoy the sunlight of the French Riviera at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France. These whimsical bronze hares we’ve been installing recently, now populate and metaphorically hop across the lush park that surrounds the legendary hotel. And while they may be monumental in size, they settle into the greenery as if they’ve always belonged here.

Barry Flanagan’s hare sculptures always felt at home outdoors. Once leaping over the dunes by the North Sea or catching the buzz of New York City streets, they now found a new playground in the South of France. It’s in these wide, breathing spaces that Flanagan’s gigantic artworks really come alive, frolicking in a silent conversation with their surroundings.

Each of the three hare sculptures, The Cricketer, Large Monument, and Large Left-Handed Drummer, has its own personality and story, and together, they turn a stroll through the park into a magical summer adventure:

First up, by the entrance, stands The Cricketer (1989). With one paw in the air and a twinkle of mischief in its eye, this hare’s bowling pose is pure energy. Flanagan loved cricket and this piece is a cheeky tribute to cricket legend Bob Willis. It sets the tone right away: playful, bold, and full of summer spirit.

Further down the park is Large Monument (1996). Here, the mood shifts. Three hares dance on top of the monument, while the main figure sits deep in thought, the bronze catching the light like waves on water. Inspired by Rodin’s Gates of Hell, this sculpture is all about presence and pause. It’s a moment to breathe, to think, before continuing your journey.

Then, at the heart of the park where the trees cast their dappled shadows and the breeze carries the scent of salt and sun, Large Left-Handed Drummer (2006) takes center stage. This hare is all rhythm and joy, completely lost in the music. Inspired by a medieval drawing that lingered in Flanagan’s imagination, it’s a celebration of spontaneity and the sheer fun of being alive. You can almost hear the beat echoing through the grass.

Together, these three sculptures form a dance, a choreography of bronze, sea-kissed air, and golden light. They celebrate movement, memory, and a touch of mischief. Most of all, they remind us to enjoy the moment. To leap. To drum. To play.

Enjoy your summer of art.

Unfortunately, the presentation, until October 19, 2025, is only accessible for guests of the hotel or the Amfar Gala in May 2025. If you would like to know more about the works or similar versions, don’t hesitate to contact us.