Jl Chenillon, "young Shepherd Caring For His Wounded Dog", 19th Century Bronze Group.

This large bronze group, produced by Thiébaut frères fondeurs in Paris (1844-1926), is the work of the French sculptor Jean Louis Chenillon (1810-1875), signed on the base Chenillon, stamped on the back of the base for Thiebaut frères. This subject, first made in plaster by Chenillon, was awarded a second-class medal at the 1873 Salon. This shepherd measured 110 cm high. The same bronze group, reduced in size and produced by Thiébaut (34 x 48 cm), was exhibited in 1876 and was then sent by the State to the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Chartres. In this work, the artist conveys to us all the affection between the young shepherd and his faithful companion. The shepherd is treated in the form of an ephebe, completely naked, and thus appears to us on an equal footing with his dog, without artifice. The print we are presenting dates from the 19th century around 1880, it is of very beautiful quality, whether in the details or the superb patina highlighting the reliefs whether it is the shepherd's hairless skin or the dog's well-furred hair. Jean-Louis Chenillon is a French sculptor of the 19th century, he was born in Auteuil on November 15, 1810 and died in Paris on October 31, 1875. He is the son of Pierre-Charles Louis Chenillon, gardener, and Marie-Louise Beaugrand. Protected by the Marquis de Talhouët, he spent his childhood on the latter's property located in Sarthe, at the Château du Lude, in Lude. Returning to Paris to study, he became a student of David d'Angers, and entered the Ecole des Beaux-Arts on October 5, 1829. Chenillon made his debut at the Salon of 1835 with a plaster statue of a "young captive." He participated in the following exhibitions, including a bronze bust of Monseigneur Bouvier, Bishop of Le Mans in 1848, a bronze statuette representing his father in 1850, "the fisherman of Villerville" in 1872 and "the Alsatian Brewer" in 1874. From the beginning of his career, he received official commissions for King Louis-Philippe. His work includes numerous busts of politicians from the July Monarchy. In Paris, Chenillon collaborated under the direction of Viollet-le-Duc on the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris, and also worked for the Hôtel de Ville, he also worked on the churches of Saint-Vincent de Paul and Sainte Clotilde and on the Saint-Jacques-la-Boucherie tower. In Moulins, we owe him five stone statues that decorate the façade and the two towers of the cathedral. In the church of Lude, he executed a figure of Saint Paul. He is the author of the bronze bust of the Monument to Collin d'Harleville erected in Maintenon. His works are preserved in French museums. Sources: Wikipedia and "Les bronzes du XIXème siècle" by Pierre Kjellberg, "les éditions de l'amateur". Dimensions: Height: 34 cm Width: 48 cm