Brown Patina Bronze, French Spaniel Dog, 19th Century

MENE Pierre Jules is honored with this beautiful bronze with brown patina from the 19th century (1810-1879) representing the "French Spaniel Dog (Fabio) The French Spaniel Dog "Fabio" No. 1, is one of the first three models of dogs exhibited by PJ Mêne at the Salon of 1843. Signature of the sculptor "PJMÊNE", in hollow, on the naturalist terrace, richly chiseled. Very good state of conservation and patina. In the work of Mêne, the dog is the loved and pampered animal, studied and represented more than all the others. If hunting is the axis of his work, the dog is the constitutive element par excellence. Pierre-Jules Mêne is a French sculptor, considered one of the main representatives of animal sculpture in the 19th century. He produced numerous animal sculptures, particularly in vogue under the Second Empire , like Antoine-Louis Barye, Auguste Caïn, Pierre Louis Rouillard and, later, François Pompon. Mêne specialized in small bronzes, and did not produce any works for public statuary. Exclusive publisher of his works, the perfection of his productions is very recognized and is revealed, with Barye, as the one whose success has been the most constant, and this over the longest period. Pierre-Jules Mêne appears as one of the best practitioners of wax of his time.