A French patinated-bronze figure entitled 'Thesé combattant Le Minotaure'

CAST FROM THE MODEL BY ANTOINE-LOUIS BARYE, CIRCA 1890

Details

A French patinated-bronze figure entitled 'Thesé combattant Le Minotaure'
Cast from the model by Antoine-Louis Barye, Circa 1890
In fierce combat, Theseus forcing the sword towards the Minotaur, on a rectangular base signed BARYE, the underside with a paper label inscribed in ink Jean légué par sa mère, on a rouge griotte marble rectangular plinth with chamfered edges, with a rectangular gilt plaque to the front engraved THÉSÉE COMBATTANT LE MINOTAURE EPREUVE AVANT TIRAGE PROVENANT DE LA COLLECTION EMILE VAN MARCKE DE LUMMEN
The bronze: 18 in. (46 cm.) high; 11½ in. (29.5 cm.) wide; 6¼ in. (16 cm.) deep
The marble: 3¼ in. (8.5 cm.) high; 14¼ in. 36.5 cm.) wide; 9 in. (23 cm.) deep

Provenance

Emile van Marcke de Lummen, Belgium

Lot Essay

This group, described by the art critic Ballu as being 'une des oeuvres maîtresse de Barye et très réellement un des chef-d'oeuvres de la statuaire française', was executed by Antoine-Louis Barye in 1846.

This model is illustrated in Stuart Pivar, The Barye Bronzes, A Catalogue Raisonné, Antique Collector's Club, Woodbridge, 1990, p. 84, Numbered F20.

The number of the work as it appeared in Barye's own last catalogue is B16.

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