Thesee Combattant le Centaure Biennor by Antoine-Louis Barye
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This French bronze sculpture by Antoine-Louis Barye depicts the battle between Theseus and a centaur
Key Features
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- The famed Antoine-Louis Barye composed this powerful bronze sculpture of Theseus fighting a centaur
- It is believed that less than five casts have been made of this, Barye's final mythological group
- Signed "Barye" and inscribed "Barbedienne Fondeur Paris"
- Circa 1876
- 29 1/2" high
Item Details
- Height:
29 1/2 Inches - Period:
19th Century - Origin:
France - Material:
Bronzes - Artist:
Barye, Antoine-Louise
This French Neoclassical bronze sculpture, entitled Thesee combattant le centaure Biennor. by Romantic sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye depicts the battle between the Greek hero Theseus and Bienor, the centaur. It is believed that no more than five casts of this work have ever been made. This bronze is Barye's most powerful mythological group, cast by Ferdinand Barbedienne beginning in 1876 after Barbedienne purchased the original plaster from the studio sale of Barye's original works. Barye's use of realism was a major characteristic of his work, and this incredible bronze represents the enormous talent of this famous French sculptor.
Barye's original plaster (now lost) was commissioned by the state in 1849 for the price of 10,000 francs, and was sent to the Musée Crozatier in Le Puy-en-Velay. It was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1850, marking Barye's first appearance at the annual show after being banned fourteen years before. This particular mythological group was met with considerable critical acclaim, and was a significant step in establishing Barye's artistic reputation as a premier classical artist. This composition, Barye's second and final mythological work, was edited posthumously by Barbedienne in four reductions. Barbedienne also produced a three-meter cast of the model, which was to surmount the monument to Barye, designed by architect Stanislas Bernier, funded by American collectors, and erected on boulevard Henri IV on the Ile Saint-Louis, Paris, in 1894. Less than five life-time large casts are thought to have been made, examples of which can be seen at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. A unique very large bronze of this sculpture was commissioned by Paul Dubois and was cast by E. Gonon in 1877 -- which is now in the Louvre. Theseus and the Centaur is illustrated on the cover of ''Bronzes of the 19th Century" by Pierre Kjellberg. Signed "Barye" and inscribed "Barbedienne Fondeur Paris" Circa 1876 29 1/2" high Along with his friend and schoolmate, painter Eugene Delacroix, Barye became a primary figure in the Romantic Movement of the early 19th century. Often sketching lions and tigers at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, it is said that the sculptor's motto was, "Observe nature. What other professor do you need?" His ferocious artistic manner often shocked the Classicists of the French Academy. Barye is also noted for the innovative techniques he developed as a bronze craftsman. His new methods of casting, chiseling and patination became the cornerstone of modern bronze work and are still being used today.
Barye's original plaster (now lost) was commissioned by the state in 1849 for the price of 10,000 francs, and was sent to the Musée Crozatier in Le Puy-en-Velay. It was exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1850, marking Barye's first appearance at the annual show after being banned fourteen years before. This particular mythological group was met with considerable critical acclaim, and was a significant step in establishing Barye's artistic reputation as a premier classical artist. This composition, Barye's second and final mythological work, was edited posthumously by Barbedienne in four reductions. Barbedienne also produced a three-meter cast of the model, which was to surmount the monument to Barye, designed by architect Stanislas Bernier, funded by American collectors, and erected on boulevard Henri IV on the Ile Saint-Louis, Paris, in 1894. Less than five life-time large casts are thought to have been made, examples of which can be seen at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. A unique very large bronze of this sculpture was commissioned by Paul Dubois and was cast by E. Gonon in 1877 -- which is now in the Louvre. Theseus and the Centaur is illustrated on the cover of ''Bronzes of the 19th Century" by Pierre Kjellberg. Signed "Barye" and inscribed "Barbedienne Fondeur Paris" Circa 1876 29 1/2" high Along with his friend and schoolmate, painter Eugene Delacroix, Barye became a primary figure in the Romantic Movement of the early 19th century. Often sketching lions and tigers at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, it is said that the sculptor's motto was, "Observe nature. What other professor do you need?" His ferocious artistic manner often shocked the Classicists of the French Academy. Barye is also noted for the innovative techniques he developed as a bronze craftsman. His new methods of casting, chiseling and patination became the cornerstone of modern bronze work and are still being used today.
