Milo of Croton Devoured by a Lion

Description Milo was an athlete in 6th-century BC Croton (present-day Crotone, Italy). Late in life, he attempted to demonstrate his strength by pulling apart a split tree trunk. The tree closed on his hand, holding him captive while wild animals devoured him. This ancient myth is a parable on excessive pride. As a student at the École des Beaux-Arts, the leading French art school, Barye placed second when he entered this composition in a contest for the grand prize in medals. For the plaster version of this medal see WAM 27.191.

Exhibitions

• The Romantics to Rodin: French Nineteenth Century Sculpture from North American Collections. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles; Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis; The Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit; Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis. 1980-1981.
• Untamed: The Art of Antoine-Louis Barye. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore; Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa; The Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, Palm Beach. 2007-2008.

Provenance William T. / Henry Walters Collection, Baltimore [date and mode of acquisition unknown] [from 5 West Mt. Vernon Place]; Walters Art Museum, 1931, by bequest.

Inscriptions [Signature] Inscribed in cursive and dated: Barye 1819.

Credit Acquired by William T. or Henry Walters