Bronze and Metal Sculptures by 19th c. Sculptor Pierre Jules Mene (1810-1871)
Mene, born in Paris, established a reputation as an animalier producing
figurines most of animals which he cast in bronze himself. He
established his own foundry in 1838 and had a thriving business in
turning out small bronzes using the sand-cast method. He exhibited at
the Salon from 1838 onwards, making his debut with a group called Dog and Fox.
He won medals for his work in 1848, 1852 and 1861, also receiving the
Legion d'honneur in 1861. He also exhibited in London at the Great
Exhibitionof 1851. Mene is probably the best known of the French animalier school
and his bronzes today are among the most highly prized in the genre.
Many of his bronzes were edited posthumously by his son-in-law Auguste
Nicolas Cain. A catalog of his bronzes is appended to The Animaliers by James Mackay (1973).
F2681
Sylvie the Setter bronze signed MENE. Deep brown patina. Marble base. This setter has appeared in several of Mene's groups and appears to have been a favorite subject.
