Antoine-Louis Barye
(Paris 1795-1875)

Lion qui marche

1841
Bronze, dark brown over over red-brown patina
Signed 'Barye'
Cast by Atelier Barye, ca. 1860
23 x 41,3 x 10,4cm‘Lion qui marche’ was created by Barye with a pendant ‘Tigre qui marche’ in 1841. Both the Lion and the Tiger were included in the 1844 catalogue issued by the Besse et Cie firm. The description mentions the pure power and natural beauty of Barye's Lion, which was received with praise. The earthy realism of Barye's Lion stood in great contrast to the Neoclassical depictions of lions as decoration subordinate to larger compositions. The popularity of the model would never abate.

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