Important bronze sculpture with brown patina, representing the "Walking Lion", by the famous animal sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye (1795-1875).
The lion is in motion, it walks proudly, its majestic character is highlighted here.
So much realism is not due to chance.
Indeed, Antoine-Louis Barye knows animal anatomy perfectly.
The sculptor revolutionized the way of representing animals.
For him, they are no longer political symbols or even mythological attributes, they become on the contrary, the unique subject, the animal as such and nothing else.
This vision of the subject allowed Antoine – Louis Barye to create unique works, imbued with elegance and naturalism.
Bronze signed “BARYE” in hollow on the naturalistic terrace, richly chiseled.
Signature of the founder “F.Barbedienne.FONDEUR”.
Bronze resting on a rectangular terrace in red griotte marble.
Old edition sculpture, second part of the period XIX th century.
Very good state of preservation and patina.

Dimensions: 26 cm x 40.5 cm x 12 cm

Antoine – Louis Barye (1795-1875)

Famous for his animal sculptures, Antoine – Louis Barye is the son of a goldsmith, who trained in metalworking, with a military equipment manufacturer and with Jacques-Henri Fauconnier.

In 1818, he entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris and apprenticed in the workshop of the sculptor François Joseph Bosio and the painter Jean-Antoine Gros.
After several failures at the Grand Prix de Rome, Antoine-Louis Barye slammed the door of the Beaux-Arts in 1825.
He then turned towards animal sculpture which he would bring up to date.
With his friend Delacroix, he regularly went to the menagerie of the Museum of Natural History to study and observe the animals.

It was in 1831 that Barye became known to the general public by exhibiting at the Salon "The Tiger Devouring a Gharial" (Louvre), a work depicting a violent fight "of impressive virtuosity".
Two years later, he triumphed with "The Lion with the Serpent" (plaster), which was also successfully exhibited in its bronze version at the 1836 Salon.

Preferring bronze to marble considered too cold, the artist multiplies the statuettes and small animal groups that he casts and chisels himself.

Antoine-Louis Barye died at the age of 80, leaving behind a significant production of drawings, watercolors and paintings as well as sculptures and goldwork.
His works can be seen at the Louvre and Orsay Museums.