Rare Bronze Sculpture of “Arab on Camel” by Antoine-Louis Barye Circa 1880

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An exquisite group executed in the technically looser style Barye developed towards the end of his life, it is one … Read more An exquisite group executed in the technically looser style Barye developed towards the end of his life, it is one of the last figural groups he executed and very few were actually cast under his supervision. It is believed to have been conceived in 1874, just a year prior to his death. The model is a clear development on the study listed in Barye's 1855 catalogue, "Dromadaire Harnaché d'Egypt", where only slight differences have been introduced to the camel and with the obvious the addition of the seated rider. Barye's abilities in conveying sensitivity and emotion in a work are particularly well represented in this model where the sense of the exotic and romantic pique your imagination, this emphasized by the loosely impressionistic and almost dream-like handling of the surfaces.
The present model was edited by Auguste Delafontaine, who purchased Barye's molds at his estate sale in 1875 and used the foundry of Henry Molz et Fils in collaboration with his own foundry until his retirement in 1905. His foundry cachet is cold-stamped into the underside as a faint "A D" in two places.
The sculpture retains its original surface chemical and pigment patina, a fine and complex range of black and green hues.
It is an exceedingly rare and exceptional work.
Literature & Further Reading:
* "The Barye Bronzes: A Catalogue Raisonne", Stuart Pivar, 1974, see p. 89 for present figure; see p. 288 for the present figure in Barye's catalogue, object no. 229 for 100 francs, original dimensions of 24 cm x 16 cm
* "Barye: Catalogue Raisonné des Sculptures", Michel Poletti & Alain Richarme, 2000, p. 89, f. 37
* "Animals in Bronze", Christopher Payne, 2002, p. 118, f. CAM5
* "Founders and Editors of the Barye Bronzes", J.G. Reinis, 2007, p. 85-89 [discussion of Auguste Delafontaine's role in casting Barye's bronzes], p. 87 f. 43 [present sculpture cast by Auguste Delafontaine, purchased in the 1875 sale of the Barye estate and perhaps cast as late as 1905]
* Bronze Sculpture of Les Animaliers, Jane Horswell, 1971; present figure not present, but p. 23 depicts "Dromadaire Harnaché d'Egypt", the circa 1855 predecessor to the present model
* See Christies, Sale 1296, April 25 2003, lot 9, 10 7/8" H to tip of lance; presumably cast by Auguste Delafontaine; achieved 7170 USD
* See Christies, Sale 1296, April 25 2003, lot 8, (missing lance); short discussion of context of the work in "Lot Essays"; atelier cast; achieved 4182 USD
Measurements: 10 7/8" H (total height including staff); 9 1/4" H (height to head of figure) x 6 1/4" W (base) x 2 3/4" D (base) See less