Wolf Seizing a Stag by the Throat

Antoine-Louis Barye

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture shows a deer with antlers and a big cat. The deer is bent down, and the big cat is below it. They appear to be in a moment of confrontation, with the deer's head lowered and the big cat poised on its back legs. The sculpture is made of dark metal, likely bronze, with a patinated finish of deep brown and greenish undertones. The detailing on both animals shows their muscular bodies and captures the tension of the scene. The sculpture is placed on a textured base resembling rugged terrain.