Sculpture - Racing Horse , Pierre - Jules Mêne (1810-1879) - Bronze

Bronze print , with nuanced brown patina , representing a racing horse , stallion , by Pierre - Jules Mêne (1810-1879) .
The "Racehorse", is a work derived from "Jockey on Horseback No. 1" of 1863 .
It differs from this one by the dimensions of the terrace which are significantly smaller and by the right front leg now placed .
The saddle pad is the same but placed in a different position ; the harness differs slightly .
Bronze signed "PJMÊNE" , hollow , on the front of the naturalist terrace , richly chiseled .
Old edition bronze , during the sculptor's lifetime , circa 1870 .
Period second part of the 19th century .
Very good state of conservation and patina .

Dimensions : 30 cm x 41.2 cm x 13.7 cm

The series of horses is one of the strongest in Pierre - Jules Mêne's collection .
It began in 1837 with the "Cheval Percheron" or the "Vieux Cheval Breton" and ended in 1877 with the "Horse with a palm tree".

Pierre - Jules Mêne (1810 - 1879)

Pierre - Jules Mêne , was a French sculptor , born March 25 , 1810 in Paris , city where he died May 20 , 1879 .

He is considered one of the main representatives of animal sculpture in the 19th century .
Pierre-Jules Mêne produced many animal sculptures , particularly in vogue during the Second Empire , like Antoine-Louis Barye , Auguste Caïn , Pierre Louis Rouillard and , later , François Pompon .

Mêne specialized in small bronzes , and did not produce works 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 is revealed , with Barye , as the one whose success has been the most constant , and this over the longest period .

Mêne appears as one of the best wax practitioners of his time .