Listening Deer 1838 , Antoine-louis Barye (1795-1875)

Bronze print , with brown patina , representing a deer "Listening Deer" , Antoine-Louis Barye (1795-1875) .
Through this sculpture , the sculptor highlights the majestic and imposing appearance of the Deer .
So much realism is not due to chance .
Indeed , Antoine Louis Barye knew animal anatomy inside out . 
The sculptor revolutionised the way animals were represented . 
For him , they were no longer political symbols or mythological attributes. 
Instead , they become the sole subject , the animal as such and nothing else . 
This vision of the subject enabled Antoine-Louis Barye to create unique works , imbued with elegance and naturalism . 
Signature of the sculptor "BARYE" , followed by the date "1838" (date of creation of the "Listening Deer") , hollow , on the naturalist terrace .
Founder's mark "F.BARBEDIENNE.FONDEUR.PARIS".
Old edition sculpture , period second part of 19th century .
Perfect state of conservation and patina .

Sizes : 21 cm x 16 cm

The "Listening Deer" is the counterpart to the "Deer with its leg raised" .
Both models were created in 1838 .
Following the death of sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye , "Ferdinand Barbedienne" acquired several models , including the "Listening Deer" in 1876 . 

Antoine - Louis Barye (1795-1875)

Famous for his animal sculptures , Antoine-Louis Barye is a silversmith's son , who is trained in metalwork with a military equipment manufacturer and Jacques - Henri Fauconnier.

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

It was in 1831 that Barye made himself known to the general public by exhibiting "The Tiger Devouring a Gavial" (Louvre) at the Salon , a work staging a violent fight "of impressive virtuosity".
Two years later , he triumphed with "The Lion and the Snake" plaster , which was also successfully exhibited in its bronze version at the Salon of 1836 .
Preferring bronze to marble considered too cold , the artist multiplied statuettes and small groups animals,that he melts and chisels himself .

Barye died at the age of 80 , leaving behind an important production of drawings , watercolors and paintings as well as sculptures , pieces of goldsmith's work .
His works can be seen at the Louvre and Orsay Museums .

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