This bronze represents the second, slightly larger version of a subject Russell had first modeled in 1910. On May 8, 1925, Nancy Russell filed a copyright for a new version of the bronze with the same title. The description filed with the new copyright stated: “Mountain Sheep on large sloping rock. He is in the act of descending.” Compared with the earlier bronze, this version shows a number of changes. Most notably, Russell removed the lower part of the base and modeled a slightly steeper slope under the animal, moving its front legs so it would seem to be in the act of descending. To a lesser extent, Russell made some changes in the articulation of the animal’s musculature, particularly around the head and neck. Overall, the artist’s changes were in the direction of spontaneity and action. Although Russell might have been critical of the earlier model, some of the changes may have been required because the model for the first version was either damaged or entirely missing. The second version of the Mountain Sheep may have appeared as early as March 1924 in an exhibition in Los Angeles, but it assuredly was shown the following January at the Harlow Galleries in New York. Following Russell’s death in October 1926, Roman Bronze Works continued to cast copies of the Mountain Sheep under Nancy Russell’s direction. It is known that the plaster master model for the work was still at the foundry as late as January 1929, but there is no indication that any other casts were sold prior to Mrs. Russell’s death in May 1940. The bronze shown here is one of two copies that remained in her estate. As with many of Russell’s bronzes, the plaster model also survived in the estate; it was later used in the late 1950s to make a number of unauthorized casts.