After Pierre Jules Mène

After PIERRE JULES MÊNE (Paris, 1810 - 1879).
"Hunting dog".
Patinated bronze.
With signature "Mêne".
Presents some chipping on the base of marble portoro.
Measurements: 23,5 x 30,5 x 13,5 cm.

Sculptural group representing a podenco with a hunted piece between its jaws, probably a rabbit. The bronze artist was inspired by the canine sculptures of Pierre Jules Mène, considered one of the main representatives of the animalistic effigies of the XIX century. He was the father-in-law of the sculptor Auguste Cain (1821-1894), who was his collaborator. he first training of Pierre-Jules, then a young collector of engravings with a particular interest in the works of Horace Vernet, came from his father, then from the wood sculptor René Compaire. In 1838, he first appeared at the Paris Salon and created his own foundry, which he personally directed until 1877. He made numerous animal sculptures, especially popular during the Second Empire, such as those of Antoine-Louis Barye, Auguste Caïn, Pierre Louis Rouillard.