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Tiger in Repose by Antoine-Louis Barye (French, 1796–1875)

Antoine-Louis Barye (French, 1796–1875) · 1850-01-01

This is Antoine-Louis Barye's *Tiger in Repose*, an oil painting from around 1850, held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Barye, primarily a sculptor known for his animal figures, brings a tactile sensibility to paint.

Notice the thick, textured brushstrokes Barye uses. They are especially evident in the tiger's striped fur and the rocky terrain. This technique gives the surface a tangible quality, making you feel the animal's weight and the coarseness of the stone.

Barye was famous for his animal sculptures. Here, he translated that sculptural understanding of form and mass into paint. The painting captures a powerful animal in a moment of stillness, yet the very application of the paint suggests latent energy.

The painting invites you to appreciate not just the subject, but the masterful way it was rendered. It's a testament to paint's ability to mimic texture.

Details

Look at the weight of his fur.
Look at the weight of his fur.
Barye built the stripes with thick paint.
Barye built the stripes with thick paint.
Feel the rough texture of the rocks.
Feel the rough texture of the rocks.
His paws seem heavy, resting deeply.
His paws seem heavy, resting deeply.
Transcript

This is a tiger, in repose. Look at the weight of his fur. Barye built the stripes with thick paint. Feel the rough texture of the rocks. His paws seem heavy, resting deeply. A glint in his eye shows he is not asleep. The whole animal feels solidly painted.