Sculpture - Jockey On Horse No. 2 , Pierre - Jules Mêne (1810-1879)

Bronze proof with brown patina , depicting a jockey on horseback "Jockey on Horse No. 2" by the sculptor Pierre-Jules Mêne (1810 - 1879) .
The "Jockey on Horse" is , with "Fox Hunting" and the "Breton Horse", one of the three works sent to the Salon of 1863 , under the title "Derby Winner" .
The critical reception is favorable "We find the spirit , the finesse , the truth of the talent of this artist" .
According to Mr. Guy Thibault , historian , designer of the Racehorse Museum , the horse having served as a model for this work would be the winner of the Epsom Derby of 1862 , "Caractacus".
Modeled the year it was sent to the Salon (1863) , it is one of the first sculpted representations of a jockey on horseback in the 19th century during the revival of racing under the Second Empire .
Sculpture signed "P.J.MÊNE" in hollow , and dated "1863" on the naturalist terrace , richly chiseled .
Old edition sculpture , period second half of the 19th century (1863) .
Very good state of conservation and patina .

Dimensions : 24.6 cm x 24.4 cm x 8 cm

Pierre - Jules Mêne (1810-1879)

Pierre - Jules Mêne , 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 Mêne 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 Mêne appears to be one of the best wax practitioners of his time .