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Antoine-Louis Barye

1838 · Wax, wood base · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

In 1838 Barye obtained a commercial patent for casting small bronzes, and by 1845 he had formed a partnership with the entrepreneur Emile Martin for the purpose of producing small bronzes in quantity for middle-class collectors. Barye soon began to market his bronzes with the aid of a series of catalogues that permitted the purchaser to order from a variety of models. The earliest catalogue was published in 1844. The catalogue of 1847 stated that each bronze would be numbered and punch marked, but the marking system was quickly abandoned, perhaps because of its very success. After Barye's death, the models were bought by a number of founders, some of whom continued to use them for many years.

Artist

Antoine-Louis Barye

Date

1838

Medium

Wax, wood base

Culture

French

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Bequest of Mary Stillman Harkness, 1950