French Antique Bronze Sculpture “Tiger Devouring Gazelle” by Antoine-Louis Barye

A fine Barbedienne casting after Barye’s “Tiger Devouring a Gazelle”, it was modeled in two versions: the first with a more impressionistic sense of texture, being markedly more brutal with the gazelle’s intestines strewn on the ground; and the present model with its greater surface and subject refinement. The parallels between Tigre Dévourant une Gazelle and Tigre Dévorant un Gavial are self-evident as an exploration of the tiger’s mannerisms. Particularly interesting is the degree of intensity and overall ferocity from one model to the other, the latter showing the tension of a battle yet fully decided while the present model is more relaxed and final.

This casting was executed after 1875 using original molds with a fine surface texture throughout. The surface shows only minimal cold-tooling and much of the texture and detail was captured directly from the original molds. It has been finished in an overall autumnal patina, likely chemical, with an overall verde wash that is embellished with a black pigmented wax highlighting the crevices and recesses; all treatments appear to be original and have been carefully cleaned and preserved under a clear conservator wax. The model is signed on the base BARYE and incised F. Barbedienne, Fondeur along the base. The underside is finished in gilding with a cold-tooled “42” marking.

Artist Listings & Bibliography:

The Barye Bronzes: A Catalogue Raisonne, Stuart Pivar, 1974, A62, p. 159 (premiere edition)
Barye: Catalogue raisonné des sculptures, Poletti & Richarme, 2000, cat. A75 (2), p. 208, ill. 178

Measurements: 13 5/8″ W x 5 1/2″ H x 5 5/8″ D