Lion Crushing a Serpent
Artist
Antoine-Louis Barye
(French, 1796-1875)
Datecast ca. 1855
MediumBronze
Dimensions19 1/2 x 27 x 14 1/2 in. (49.5 x 68.6 x 36.8 cm)
ClassificationsEuropean art
Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.
Object number71.2626
Terms
- Bronze
- Paris
Collections
On View
On viewLabel TextAntoine-Louis Barye French, 1796–1875 Lion Crushing a Serpent, cast ca. 1855 Bronze It’s easy to imagine a mighty lion attacking an impala, boar, or zebra. But a snake? While Antoine-Louis Barye’s subject may seem unlikely, it had clear political resonance for contemporary Frenchmen. The work is an allegory of the July Revolution of King Louis Philippe, which occurred from July 27 to 29, 1830—dates that fell under the constellations of Leo the lion and Hydra the serpent. The image of a lion—symbolic of French royal strength and courage—subduing a venomous enemy of the crown appealed to the new king, who ordered a large version for the Tuileries Gardens in Paris. Despite such claims to power, the king became unpopular and was overthrown in another revolution in 1848. Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.2626
