A Jaguar

Edward Kemeys American
1885
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 774
America’s first animal sculptor, Kemeys studied his subjects in their native habitat during several expeditions to the American West. Here, the snarling beast resembles a coiled spring ready to propel itself toward an unknown threat. The enormous fangs, flexed tongue, flattened ears, and articulated claws digging into the rock produce an intimidating effect. The mark visible on many of Kemeys’s bronzes, a wolf’s head, is located near his signature.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: A Jaguar
  • Artist: Edward Kemeys (American, Savannah, Georgia 1843–1907 Washington, D.C.)
  • Date: 1885
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Bronze
  • Dimensions: 13 x 9 x 20 in. (33 x 22.9 x 50.8 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. James P. Paulding, 1918
  • Object Number: 18.80
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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