Gazelle and Python (Primary Title)
Antelope and Python (Former Title)
Antoine-Louis Barye, French, 1796 - 1875 (Artist)
The Parisian zoo at the Jardin des Plantes opened a reptile house in 1838. There Barye would observe firsthand the spectacular feeding habits of large constrictors. The gruesome scene of a defenseless gazelle eliciting the viewer’s sympathy both fascinated and repels. Adding to the terror of the scene, Barye shows the python not only encircling the gazelle’s body but also savagely biting its throat, an inaccurate portrayal of the snake’s behavior.
Signed at front right: "A.L. Barye"
Marked at rear right: "F. BARBEDIENNE, Fondeur"
Gift of Mrs. George R. Frost
The Romantic Bronzes, Walter Cecil Rawls Museum and Library, Courtland, Va., November 20 – December 16, 1980
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.