Lion With Serpent No. 3 - Bronze By Antoine-louis Barye (1795 - 1875)

Antoine-Louis Barye
(1795 - 1875)
Lion with Snake No. 3 (sketch)
Bronze with brown patina, nuanced with green
H.: 14 cm; W. 18.2 cm; D. 12 cm
Signed "BARYE" on the base
Stamp "AD", cast by Auguste Delafontaine
Circa 1884 – 1905

There are several variations of the Lion with Snake, but this one is the most sought-after. It was also Barye's favorite, managing to bring the dramatic tension of the scene to its climax, through this imminent, suspended fatal gesture.

The first edition of this model dates from around 1833 and the original mold was acquired by Auguste Delafontaine at the artist's post-mortem sale in 1876. His casts are characterized by their lightness, the finesse of the chiseling and the respect for the patinas desired by the artist.

Literature

- M. Poletti and A. Richarme, Barye: Catalogue raisonné of sculptures, Paris: Gallimard, 2000, pp. 178-179 (A 54).