"Theseus and the Minotaur" by Antoine-Louis Barye

Theseus and the Minotaur The idea of Theseus fighting the Minotaur was a popular neo-classical subject among sculptors. Although, Antoine-Louis Barye (1796-1875) finished his sculpture about 1850 that is in the late part of what is meant by neo-classicism, Barye's modelling of the surfaces has a vibrancy and movement characteristic of the French romantic sculpture. Barye is well-known for his animal production and Theseus and the Minotaur is only one of a series produced by Barye …

…artists in general - in the Romantic Movement. In fact reproducing old classical subjects is very significiant to Romanticism. Where the 18th century attached importance to common sense, the 19th century - that is the first part of the century - set great store by feeling. We see this in the sculpture: The feelings for tradition, old things etc. is obvious. On the other hand it isn't very reasonable to make sculptures of antiquated things.