catalog text
ANTOINE-LOUIS BARYE
French, 1795-1875
"Lionne du Sénégal"
Patinated bronze | signed in base "BARYE" | incised "F. Barbedienne, Fondeur, Paris" | conceived 1857, sand-cast circa 1900
Item # 110WGP10A
An exquisite casting after Barye's Lioness of Senegal, the present model features a finely textured surface finished in an overall autumnal patina with hints of green. The original model was conceived in 1857 and was first featured in Barye's catalogue of the same year as no. 43, offered for 50 francs. Alfred Jacquemart acquired the model after Barye's death for 1000 francs and had it cast by Barbedienne, offered first in their 1877 catalogue for 100 francs. The model is structured with an emphasis placed on the beauty and poise of the Lioness, her legs in an unnaturally symmetrical pose while her body is relaxed and her gaze looks onward to an unseen curiosity. Barye's signature is captured in the naturalistic base with the majority of the signature captured directly from the mold while the inside of the signature was enhanced by the foundry with cold-tooling. The front edge is incised with the Barbedienne foundry marking and the underside has a cold-tooled "J" & "6" - a tar-like substance was applied to the nuts at some later date.
Artist Listings & Bibliography:
- Barye: Catalogue Raisonné des Sculptures, Polleti & Richarme, Gallimard, 2000, p. 195, ill. 158-160, cat. A67
- The Barye Bronzes: A Catalogue Raisonne, Pivar, 1990, cat. A46, p. 146
- Antoine-Louis Barye: Sculptor of Romantic Realism, Benge, 1984, ill. 74, p. 89
Measurements: 11" W (8 7/8" W at the base) x 7 3/4" H x 3 1/2" D
Condition Report: Very minor handling wear: trace wear to the very edge of the naturalistic base edge above the cove molding, spot of wear to hip when facing right. Original patina, cleaned and sealed under wax.