- 12
Antoine-Louis Barye
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Antoine-Louis Barye
- Thesée combattant le centaure Biénor (Theseus combating the Centaur Bianor)
- signed: BARYE and inscribed: F.BARBEDIENNE, Fondeur / PARIS
- bronze with a dark brown/green patina
Condition
Overall the condition of the bronze is excellent, with minor dirt and wear to the surface consistent with age. The bronze is cast in sections, and as such there a number of very slightly visible casting joints, including to the drapery, the rock work at the back of the sculpture and to Theseus's arms, the proper right arm of the centaur, to the horse's tail and to Theseus proper left hand.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Barye's Theseus and the Centaur depicts a moment in the battle between the Lapiths of Thessaly and the centaurs of Arcadia in which Theseus saves Hippodamia, daughter of the king of the Lapiths, from a centaur by violently slaying him.
Following a fourteen-year lacuna, Barye exhibited his semi-life-size plaster Theseus and the Centaur at the Paris Salon of 1850 to great acclaim. Théophile Gauthier wrote in response to viewing the work that it "showed that this Romantic who had been banned by the [Salon] jury was the modern sculptor who comes closest to Phidias and Greek sculpture."
This impressive cast is a rare large reduction, which was produced by the Barbedienne Foundry after the sculptor's death.
Following a fourteen-year lacuna, Barye exhibited his semi-life-size plaster Theseus and the Centaur at the Paris Salon of 1850 to great acclaim. Théophile Gauthier wrote in response to viewing the work that it "showed that this Romantic who had been banned by the [Salon] jury was the modern sculptor who comes closest to Phidias and Greek sculpture."
This impressive cast is a rare large reduction, which was produced by the Barbedienne Foundry after the sculptor's death.
RELATED LITERATURE
M. Poletti, & A. Richarme, Barye Catalogue raisonné des sculptures, Paris, 2000, p. 109, no. F33 and p. 411, no. CS43