Antoine-Louis Barye (French, 1796-1875), Cerf Debout

Conceived 1829, exclusively cast by the Susse Freres foundry, patinated bronze, signed "BARYE" to the naturalistic terrace with company foundry stamp.

20 x 19 3/4 x 9 in.

Author Stuart Pivar writes that "Cerf (1829)" seems to have been edited only by Susse Freres...Susse must have edited it during Barye's lifetime. No proofs of this were sold at the Vente Barye. A second piece uniquely edited by this founder is of a panther attacking a stag."

Antoine-Louis Barye is known primarily for his realistic sculptures of animals subjects, though he did complete important equestrian groups and mythological compositions. Acclaimed by many as one of the finest sculptors of Les Animaliers, Barye was a frequent visitor of Paris' Jardin des Plantes where he could study his subjects. His work can be found in several prominent museum collections. Author Glen Benge recognizes that Barye's work "embodies the yearning and turmoil, the triumphs and anguish" of the Romantic Age.

Kjellberg, Pierre. Bronzes of the 19th Century, Dictionary of Sculptors (Atglen: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. 1994). Pages 55-85, and a similar casting of the same size cast by Susse featured on pg. 79.

Pivar, Stuart. The Barye Bronzes: A Catalogue Raisonné, pg. 16 and illustrated on page 190 (no. A128).

Good condition; nice rich patina with some minor areas of rubbing.