Cheval turc N°2, antérieur gauche levé (Turkish horse N°2, left foreleg raised)

Barye modelled no less than seven different versions of Cheval turc, one of his most Romantic works. Although the earliest in date, Cheval turc N°1 was not offered until his final catalogue (1874-5) and, in fact, only one épreuve is known, being from a posthumous edition by Brame. The first two versions of Cheval turc N°2 (on rectangular bases and having left and right forelegs raised respectively) were first offered in Besse's 1844 catalogue and appeared in all of Barye's subsequent catalogues. Remodelled with oval bases, the third and fourth versions of N°2 were offered after 1857. Whilst the latter two versions did not figure in the 1876 Barye Atelier sale, the rectangular-based modèle with raised right foreleg was acquired and immediately edited in a limited number by Brame. However, the corresponding modèle with raised left foreleg, of which the present lot is an example, was purchased by the Paris gallery Goupil and edited by Barbedienne until the mid-1920s.