Antoine-Louis Barye (1795-1875), 'Ratel Denichant des Oeufs' (honey badger stealing eggs from a nest), circa 1875, the animal portrayed on a naturalistically modelled tree trunk, inscribed BARYE to the maquette, approximately 10cm high, 15cm wide Provenance: British Private Collection Paris-born Barye studied under Biennais and Bosio, and was admitted to the Ecole des Beaux Arts in 1818. Barye would spend time studying and sketching the animals at the Jardin des Plantes, where he first discovered his enduring interest in portraying animals. Barye's attention not only to animals' anatomical details but also their behaviours and temperaments was unprecedented, and his vividly modelled groups are often considered the foundation of the prolific animalier movement. Nineteenth-century Art Critic Théophile Gautier once even referred to Barye as 'Michelangelo of the Menagerie'. While this small and sweetly rendered model depicting a 'ratel' or honey badger raiding a nest of eggs is considered a later work by Barye (appearing only in the later catalogues), it shows the sculptor's unrivalled ability to capture animals' individual characters. Two casts of this model were previously offered at Christie's New York, BARYE BRONZES: AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTION, 25 April 2003, lot 37 ($2,868) and 38 ($2,151). Please note, the dates for Antoine-Louis Barye are (1795-1875) and not as printed in the catalogue. Condition Report: The bronze has a shiny greenish brown patina, interspersed with areas of lighter brown. There are one or two scratches to the back, and the bronze would benefit from a dusting. Otherwise, it appears to be in perfectly presentable condition. Condition Report Disclaimer