catalog text
ANTOINE-LOUIS BARYE
French, 1796-1875
"Lion Qui Marche" (also Lion Marchant)
Patinated bronze | signed in cast "BARYE" | incised "F. Barbedienne Fondeur, Paris" | cold-stamped "FRANCE" | underside cold-tooled 19688 | conceived 1841, cast circa early 20th century
Item # 111QKM20A
Originally conceived in 1840, Lion Qui Marche was modeled by Barye as a development from his similar bas-relief plaque of Roaring Lion and nearly identical Lion of the Zodiac. Influence for the model is perhaps somewhat owed to Visconti's "Walking Lion" held at the Musée Pie-Clémentin, a more romantic anthropomorphic modeling of this powerful beast. The present example was cast by the foundry of Ferdinand Barbedienne posthumously after they acquired the rights to the model at the sale of Barye's estate in 1875. Signed in the naturalistic rectangular base "BARYE", it is incised "F. Barbedienne Fondeur, Paris" and further marked "FRANCE". It is finished in a dark patina with traces of autumnal hues along the lion's back and relieved surfaces.
We may still have a casting of Tigre Qui Marche available in our gallery with cold-tooled markings underneath of 19691 and of identical dimensions; the two likely traveled together for most of their life, though we have been unable to confirm this. Check our full gallery inventory for the availability of that work, as the two present very powerfully when situated together.
Artist Listings & Bibliography:
- Barye: Catalogue Raisonné des Sculptures, Richarme and Poletti, 2000, p.187-189, f. A61
- The Barye Bronzes: A Catalogue Raisonné, Stuart Pivar, 1974, p.147, f. A48 [noted as 23 x 40 cm, catalog number B51 in Barye's catalog]
- Antoine-Louis Barye: Sculptor of Romantic Realism, Glenn F. Benge, 1984, f. 66
Measurements: 10 3/16" W x 2 11/16" D x 5 1/2" H
Condition Report: Very minor handling wear. Presents beautifully under wax.