19th & 20th Century European Sculpture

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Lot 104
  • 104

Antoine-Louis Barye French, 1795-1875

Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
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Description

  • Antoine-Louis Barye
  • Lion et Tigre qui Marchent (Avec Plinthes Rectangulaires) (A Walking Lion and Tiger, on Rectangular Bases)
  • both signed: BARYE, inscribed: F. BARBEDIENNE. FONDEUR., and with the gold FB
    lion inscribed on underside of base SS and 47, inscribed in ink 185, 3657, 119, 185
    tiger inscribed on underside of base 9
  • bronze, the lion: rich brown patina ; tiger: rich brown-green patina (2)

Condition

The bronzes are in very good condition. There is rubbing to the patina consistent with age.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

The model of the Lion qui marche seems to owe it's inspiration to two sources. One is an earlier model by Barye himself, the bronze lion cast in high relief at the foot of the Colonne de Juillet in the Place de la Bastille, Paris. The other, noted by Benge, is an antique walking lion in the Museo Pio-Clementino, illustrated in Visconti's Musée Pie-Clémentin, tav. XXIX.

The classical allusion is very interesting in the oeuvre of an artist celebrated for his Romanticism. The magnificent lion relief of the Colonne would have been completed by 1840, and seems to have inspired Barye to continue on the theme with the Lion qui marche and its pendant Tigre, both dating to 1841. The Colonne model differs from the Lion qui marche in the raised tail and the forward left front foot, but is close in attitude. A sketch for the Colonne model was also edited by Barbedienne.

In the Vente Barye of 1876 both models of the Lion qui marche and the Tigre qui marche were purchased and then edited by the Barbedienne foundry. Pivar relates these models to the decorative arts production in Barye's oeuvre, noting their stylized poses and their pairing which 'implies a decorative intent.' The elision of the decorative and the fine arts in this pair of wild cats makes them especially emblematic of the Barye's innovative intentions and style.

The plaster model for the Tigre is in the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore.

RELATED LITERATURE
Poletti & Richarme (2000), pp. 50, 187 & 198-99, A61 & A70; Benge, p. 84-85; Pivar, p. 27