Small Bronze Sculpture Of A Deer, No. 1, By Pierre-jules Mène, Animal Sculptor, 19th Century

Small bronze sculpture (brown-green patina) depicting a roe deer (Roe Deer No. 1), signed PJ Mène*, 19th century. This sculpture is in good condition. It is signed on the base. Note: slight wear consistent with age on the bronze, see photos. *Pierre-Jules Mène (1810-1879): the most famous animal sculptor after Barye. Although drawn to sculpture and animals from a very young age, he had to work in jobs unrelated to his passion to make a living. He made his debut at the Salon in 1838 and quickly became popular. His "Dog Strangling a Fox" was the prelude to countless statuettes and groups in which the horse plays a prominent role, but which also feature numerous hunting scenes, stags and does, dogs, birds, farm animals, and only a few big cats. Like Barye, Mène opened his own foundry in 1837 to produce his own works and, later, those of his son-in-law, the sculptor Auguste Cain. The models of both artists were purchased (after their deaths) by the Susse foundry, which continued to produce them (marked "Susse foundry, publisher, Paris"). His works are held in numerous French museums (Château de Fontainebleau, Paris (Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Carnavalet, Louvre, Petit Palais), Nîmes, etc.) (excerpt from "Les bronzes du XIXe siècle" by P. Kjellberg). The artist is highly regarded on Artprice. Dimensions: Height 9.5 cm, Base 13.5 cm x 5 cm. Reference: 810 287. All photos are available at: www.antiques-delaval.com