Bronze Group " Dogs In The Terrier " , Pierre - Jules Mêne (1810-1879)

Bronze group with brown patina , featuring three hunting dogs scurrying around a rabbit hole to find a rabbit , by Pierre-Jules Mêne.
The energy and hunting instinct of the dogs is highlighted here , as they appear to be on the lookout , their senses are alert , and thanks to their sense of smell , they detect prey without even seeing it .
The sculptor's signature "P.J.MÊNE" is engraved on the richly carved , naturalistic terrace .
Early edition sculpture , second half of the XIXth century . 
Very good condition and patina .

In Mêne's work, the dog is the animal loved and pampered, studied and represented more than all the others .
If hunting is the axis of his work , the dog is the constitutive element par excellence .
In animal sculptures , Mène is the artist who left us the most models of canines , all perfectly treated in a realistic way , and represented with an artistic truth and an anatomical rigor that will not weaken over the years .

Pierre-Jules Mêne (1810 - 1879)

Pierre-Jules Mêne , is a French sculptor , born March 25 , 1810 in Paris , city where he died on May 20 1879 .

He is considered to be one of the main representatives of animal sculpture in the 19th century .
Pierre-Jules Mêne produced many animal sculptures , particularly in vogue under the Second Empire, like Antoine-Louis Barye , Auguste Caïn , Pierre Louis Rouillard and , later , François Pompon .

P.J Mêne specialized in small bronzes, and did not produce work for public statuary .
His animal subjects have enjoyed great popular success .
Exclusive publisher of his works , the perfection of his productions is widely recognized .
He reveals himself , with Antoine-Louis Barye , as the one whose success has been the most constant , and this over the longest period .

Pierre-Jules Mêne appears to be one of the best wax practitioners of his time .