French Antique Bronze Sculpture "Walking Tiger" by Antoine-Louis Barye, Barbedienne

Description

Barye's ability to merge our romantic idealization of nature with a colder reality of nature's predator is beautifully represented in … more Barye's ability to merge our romantic idealization of nature with a colder reality of nature's predator is beautifully represented in this striding cat. Originally conceived in 1841, Tigre Qui Marche (Walking Tiger) is a picture of poise and intensity as this powerful beast moves nimbly across a dried cracked desert soil. Barye's careful study of the animal's anatomy, which include as preparatory work studies of the face as well as drawings of a flayed tiger's shoulder and foreleg, culminated in this handsomely detailed model (Benge, fig. 155, fig. 158).

The present example was cast by the foundry of Ferdinand Barbedienne posthumously. They started producing casts of this work in 1877 after acquiring the molds from the Barye estate in 1875 and the firm continued to cast it even after merging with Leblanc well into the 20th century. Signed in the naturalistic rectangular base "F. Barbedienne Fondeur, France", this cast was executed circa 1880-1900. It is finished in a wonderful complex overall green patina with hints of black and a warm orange-bronze hue in relief. The bronze is raised over an early and likely original marble base.

Artist Listings & Bibliography:

Barye: Catalogue Raisonné des Sculptures, Richarme and Poletti, 2000, p.198-99, f. A70
The Barye Bronzes: A Catalogue Raisonné, Stuart Pivar, 1974, p.159, f. A63
Antoine-Louis Barye: Sculptor of Romantic Realism, Glenn F. Benge, 1984, f. 67, discussion of the piece on p. 85-6

Measurements: 5 7/16" H x 2 5/8" D x 10 1/16" W [bronze]; 6 1/8" H x 3" D x 10 3/8" W [total dimensions with base]

Condition Report: Chip loss to one corner of the marble. Patina with light wear to handling areas, though overall remaining in quite excellent condition. The extent of the original black patina is unknown - whether it is lightly worn away from handling to reveal more verde surface below or whether the original intent of the foundry was a relieved black. Nonetheless, the surface is positively gorgeous, has been carefully cleaned in-house and is sealed under conservator wax. less