Kevel Antelope c. 1820 - 1830

Curator: This is Antoine Louis Barye's "Kevel Antelope," a bronze sculpture residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Barye, who lived from 1795 to 1875, was celebrated for his animal sculptures. Editor: It's small, but so graceful. I see alertness, a quiet watchfulness in its posture. The bronze has a beautiful patina that seems to deepen the animal's thoughtful gaze. Curator: Barye's pieces were popular during a time when the burgeoning middle class desired portable art, allowing them to engage with nature and the exotic in their homes. He tapped into the public's fascination with the natural world. Editor: Antelopes often symbolize agility and quickness, and the upward-pointing antlers here could represent virility and defense. It's a powerful little figure, despite its delicate form. Curator: Indeed. Barye's work reminds us how art can democratize access to different cultural symbols, influencing how people perceived wildlife. Editor: It’s fascinating how a symbol of the wild can become so intimate and domestic. Curator: Precisely, a reminder of our complex relationship with the natural world.