Patinated bronze
France, 19th century
Pierre-Jules Mêne (1810-1879) – French sculptor
Signed on the base ‘P. J. MÊNE’
Literature: Poletti/Richarme 2007, p. 67
Dimensions (incl. plinth): 28 x 38 x 14 cm
Good condition
Provenance: German private collection
Graceful depiction of a tamed horse; the auction record for this work by Mêne is currently set at 9,000 euros

The present bronze with the title ‘Cheval au Palmier’ (horse by a palm tree) by the French sculptor Pierre-Jules Mêne (1810-1879) shows a bridled horse executed in an expressive, life-like manner. The graceful animal is standing on an oval, naturalistically shaped plinth, the reins are attached with an ax on the trunk of a palm tree. Mêne’s works of this kind were highly sought after already during the artist’s lifetime. Today, many of Pierre-Jules Mêne’s works are preserved at the Louvre.



The high-quality original bronze is in good condition with a patina consistent with age. It is signed on the base ‘P. J. MÊNE’ and measures 28 x 38 x 14 cm (height x length x width).



Pierre-Jules Mêne (1810-1879)

Pierre-Jules Mêne was born in 1810 in Paris. Being an autodidact, he concentrated on naturalistic depictions of animals and developed into a true pioneer of his time. Mêne became very famous for his hunting scenes and especially for his horses that suited the taste of his contemporaries a lot. During his lifetime, the artist made more than 150 models that were highly demanded and even continued to be produced after his death. His works can be found not only in the Louvre, but also in the museums of Marseille, Rouen, La Rochelle and Melbourne.



Literature:

Michel Poletti and Alain Richarme. Pierre-Jules Mêne. Catalogue raisonné. Paris 2007