Antoine-Louis Barye

Overall the bronze is in excellent condition. There is some minor wear consistent with age. There are minor imperfections in the casting under the woman's arms and between her right leg and the saddle on the right side of the horse.
"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."

Poletti and Richarme estimate that only about twenty casts of the Amazone were cast during Barye's lifetime.  Furthermore no posthumous edition is known as the bronze master model was not acquired by an editeur. The present bronze, which is twice cold stamped with the sculptor's name, was most likely cast around 1855. A cast of this model in The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, is also marked with the artist's cold stamp.  In the present bronze great care has been taken with contrasting the horse's subtle coarse hair and the fine chasing of the dress. In one of the few extensive passages of drapery in the sculptor's oeuvre the sharpness of the casting is particularly evident, the dress flowing naturally over the rider's legs and feet, with the windswept veil that covers her hat enhancing the sense of movement in the composition. It has been suggested that the Amazone is an equestrian portrait of Hélène of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, the Duchess of Orléans.

RELATED LITERETURE
Poletti & Richarme (2000), no. F4, p. 67; Untamed, cat. 49, p. 145