Antoine-Louis Barye

Overall the condition of the bronze is very good. There is minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age and handling. There are a few areas of slight dryness to the patina, including to the area between the two front legs.
"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."

The Percheron horse orginated in the region known as "Le Perche" in North West France. Legend has it that the type was established after the Battle of Tours in 732 when the Arabian horses abandoned by the defeated Moors were crossed with massive Flemish stock. This powerful horse was used as a battle mount in Medieval times and closer to Barye's own time its strength was valued for pulling stagecoaches and in farm labour.

Cheval percheron first appears in Barye's seventh catalogue of 1865 under the heading of 'New Models'. Whilst the pose of the horse recalls the romanticism of Barye's Cheval turc, Cheval percheron appears to be tautly suspended in potential and massive energy in contrast to the unleashed power of the Cheval turc. The static silhouette recalls antique prototypes, but another significant aspect to the model is its modernity. The smooth planes of the bronze describe the power and dignity of the horse with a simplicity which anticipates the iconic modern animal sculptures of the American sculptor Herbert Haseltine (1877-1962), who also took an interest in describing type and conformation with a distinctive simplicity of form.

The 20cm unmarked early casts are seldom seen. Thiebaut acquired the model following the Vente Barye in 1876 and it was offered in the foundry's catalogue in two sizes, of which this is the rarer large size. As Poletti and Richarme note the innate monumentality of the model was emphasised by Thiebaut's enlargement. It is the largest edited horse model by Barye.

RELATED LITERATURE
C. Saunier, Louis Barye, London, 1926, p. 10; J. Horswell, Bronze Sculpture of 'Les Animaliers', Woodbridge, 1971, p. 50; M. Poletti & A. Richarme, Barye: Catalogue raisonné des sculptures, Paris, 2000, no. A133, p. 272