Sculpture - The Sheep Of The Vosges , Pierre-jules Mêne (1810-1879) - Bronze

A bronze sculpture with a brown patina , depicting a standing sheep , titled "Vosges Sheep" , by the sculptor Pierre-Jules Mêne (1810-1879) .
"Standing Vosges Sheep" is one of two sculptures submitted by the sculptor to the Salon of 1865 .
It represents a return to the artist's "Pastures" series .
The earliest casts are dated "1864" , the year the work was created .
The sculptor's signature "P.J.MÊNE" , followed by the date "1864" , is incised on the richly chiseled , naturalistic base , which is further embellished with a profile .
Rare early edition sculpture , second half of the 19th century .
Perfect condition .

Dimensions : 20.9 cm x 22.8 cm x 9.8 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 Mene 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 practitioners of his time .