Antoine Louis Barye

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Barye, Antoine-Louis (b Paris, 24 Sept. 1796; d Paris, 25 June 1875). French sculptor, painter, and printmaker. Barye was the most famous animal sculptor of the 19th century and was largely responsible for making the small animal bronze a recognized genre; artists specializing in this kind of work became known as animaliers. He trained as a goldsmith (his father's profession) and also studied sculpture and painting (Gros was briefly his teacher). His knowledge of animals came partly from observing them in the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, and partly from extensive reading. In 1831 he had his first notable success at the Salon with Tiger Devouring a Gavial (Louvre, Paris, and other casts) and this launched his career; only two years later he was made a member of the Legion of Honour. Much of his work is in a similar Romantic vein, stressing the drama and savagery of nature. Barye also created large-scale sculptures, including a stone pediment relief of Napoleon Crowned by History and the Arts (1857) on the Sully Pavilion of the Louvre and a bronze equestrian statue of Napoleon (1860–5) at Ajaccio, the emperor's birthplace in Corsica.

Barye, Antoine-Louis (1796–1875). French sculptor, painter, and printmaker, born and active in Paris. Barye was the most famous animal sculptor of the 19th century and was largely responsible for making the small animal bronze a recognized genre; artists specializing in this kind of work became known as animaliers. He trained as a goldsmith (his father's profession) and also studied sculpture and painting (Gros was briefly his teacher). His knowledge of animals came partly from observing them in the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, and partly from extensive reading. In 1831 he had his first notable success at the Salon with Tiger Devouring a Gavial (Louvre, Paris, and other casts) and this launched his career; only two years later he was made a member of the Legion of Honour. Much of his work is in a similar Romantic vein, stressing the drama and savagery of nature. Barye also created large-scale sculptures, including a stone pediment relief of Napoleon Crowned by History and the Arts (1857) on the Sully Pavilion of the Louvre and a bronze equestrian statue of Napoleon (1860–5) at Ajaccio, the emperor's birthplace in Corsica.

Antoine Louis Barye , 1796–1875, French animal sculptor. Son of a Parisian goldsmith, he followed his father's trade as a youth. In 1832 he exhibited at the Salon his Lion and Serpent (Tuileries), which won him recognition; but only late in life did he achieve fame and free himself from debt. His simple, romantic, and forceful studies of animals or groups of animals were often small and designed for commercial reproduction in bronze. They enjoyed an international popularity and are still highly prized. Well-known examples of his work are Tiger and Gavial, Jaguar and Hare, Theseus and the Minotaur (all: Louvre), and Centaur and Lapith (Tuileries). He is also represented in the Metropolitan Museum and in the Brooklyn Museum.

Bibliography: See C. S. Smith, Barbizon Days (1902, repr. 1969); G. F. Benge, Antoine-Louis Barye: Sculptor of Romantic Realism (1984).