Best known as an animal sculptor, Barye also made numerous finished watercolors. This is one of a series that the Havemeyer family bequeathed to the Metropolitan in 1929 and is notable as the first drawing by the artist to enter their collection. Signs of death and decay dominate. The vultures perch on a leafless tree with their distinctive shapes outlined against a sky reddened by the setting sun. At lower right a stripped animal skull and bones testify to a recent meal. These details have been freely painted upon textured paper to create an image both expressive and naturalistic.
Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
Open Access
As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.
API
Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
Artwork Details
Use your arrow keys to navigate the tabs below, and your tab key to choose an item
Title:Vultures on a Tree
Artist:Antoine-Louis Barye (French, Paris 1795–1875 Paris)
Date:1810–75
Medium:Watercolor on wove paper
Dimensions:Sheet: 10 11/16 x 15 1/8 in. (27.1 x 38.4cm)
Classification:Drawings
Credit Line:H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
Accession Number:29.100.596
Signature: bottom, left of center: BARYE
H. O. Havemeyerand Mrs. H.O. Havemeyeruntil 1907; Louisine W. Havemeyer from 1907-1929
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "The H. O. Havemeyer Collection," March 10–November 2, 1930.
Paris. Cabinet des dessins, Musée du Louvre. "Dessins français du Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York de David à Picasso," October 25, 1973–January 7, 1974.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Nineteenth Century French Drawings and Prints," June 23–August 23, 1981.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Splendid Legacy: The Havemeyer Collection," March 27–June 20, 1993.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Drawings and Prints: Selections from the Permanent Collection," May 21–August 12, 2001.
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Van Gogh, Mondrian, and Munch: Selections from the Department of Drawings and Prints," July 7–October 11, 2022.
Zieseniss G3 Zieseniss G3
The H.O. Havemeyer Collection: Catalogue of Paintings, Prints, Sculpture and Objects of Art. Privately published, New York, 1931, p. 182.
"Watercolors and bronzes of animals at Metropolitan Museum." in Art News. vol. 38, February 24, 1940, p. 11.
Charles Otto Zieseniss Les Aquarelles de Barye, étude critique et catalogue raisonné. Paris, 1954, also cited pp. 27, 43, cat. no. G 3, fig. no. pl. 31, p. 79, ill.
The H.O. Havemeyer Collection. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2nd edition. New York, 1958, cat. no. 60, p. 12.
Jacob Bean 100 European Drawings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York: New York Graphic Society, 1964, cat. no. 67, fig. no. 67, ill.
Jacob Bean, Linda Boyer Gillies, Cynthia Lambros, Roseline Bacou, Réunion des Musées Nationaux Dessins français du Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: de David à Picasso 54th Exposition de Cabinet des Dessins Musée du Louvre, 25 octobre 1973–7 janvier 1974. Paris, 1973, cat. no. 1, fig. no. 13, pp. 21, 83, ill.
Christopher Finch Nineteenth-Century Watercolors. Abbeville Press, New York, London, Paris, 1991, fig. no. 193, pp. 147, 148 (il, ill.
Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, Gary Tinterow Splendid Legacy: The Havemeyer Collection. Exh. cat.: March 27-June 20. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1993, pp. 72, 73 (ill), and note 7; Appendix 41, pp. 296 (ill.),, ill.
The Wild Kingdom of Antoine-Louis Bayre 1795-1875.. Wildenstein & Co., Inc., New York, 1994, p. 124, cat. no. 81, p. 83, ill., ill.
The Met's Libraries and Research Centers provide unparalleled resources for research and welcome an international community of students and scholars.
The Met Collection API is where all makers, creators, researchers, and dreamers can connect to the most up-to-date data and public domain images for The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.
The Met's collection of drawings and prints—one of the most comprehensive and distinguished of its kind in the world—began with a gift of 670 works from Cornelius Vanderbilt, a Museum trustee, in 1880.
