Sculpture - Braque Dog Keeping A Rabbit By Pierre - Jules Mene (1810-1879) - Bronze

Sculpture in bronze with shaded brown patina , representing a seated hunting dog , of the "Braque" type , guarding a hare in front of its paws , by the sculptor Pierre - Jules Mene (1810-1879) .
The sculptor isolated the dog from the group "Dog Guarding Game"at the 1850 Salon , to produce this simplified version with the rabbit, of which few proofs exist .
Sculptor's signature "P.J.MÊNE" on the naturalistic bronze terrace, richly chased .
Early edition sculpture, second half of the 19th century .
Very good condition and patina .

Dimensions : 21 cm x 25 cm

In Mene's work , 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 its constitutive element par excellence .
In animal sculptures , Mêne is the artist who has left us the most models of canines , all perfectly treated in a realistic manner , and represented with an artistic truth and anatomical rigor which will not weaken over the years .

Pierre - Jules Mene (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 .