In the work of Mêne , 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 , P.J Mêne is the artist who left us the most models of canids , all perfectly treated in a realistic way , and represented with an artistic truth and an anatomical rigor which will not weaken over the years .
Sculpture signed "P.J.MÊNE" , hollow on the naturalist terrace , richly chiseled .
Ancient bronze , period second part of the 19th century .
Very good state of conservation and of patina .
Dimensions : 12 cm x 23 cm (terrace) / 28.5 cm (at the tail) x 9.3 cm
Pierre-Jules Mêne (1810-1879)
Pierre - Jules Mene , 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 Mene 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 Mene appears to be one of the best wax practitioners of his time .