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Lot Essay
The most celebrated animal sculptor after Barye, Pierre Jules Mne (1810-1879) was the son of a metal-worker and started his career in his father's workshop. He frequently sketched in the Jardin des Plantes, Paris and made small animal maquettes before making his debut in the Salon in 1838. Like Barye, Mne opened his own foundery in 1837 for his own editions, and later for those of his son-in-law, the sculptor Auguste Cain. Several of his bronzes were cast in numerous editions and, until his death and that of Cain's in 1894, the models of both the sculptors were bought, with the reproduction rights, by the Susse Frres foundry (therefore the posthumous casts carry the stamp Susse fondeur diteur, Paris).
The original of the present model was exhibited at the Salon of 1873 in wax and in 1874 in bronze. An immensely popular and impressive group, casts are in museums at Morlaix, Toulon and the Chteau de Compine.
Another example of this bronze group illustrated in P. Kjellberg, Les Bronzes du XIX Sicle, 1987, p. 477.
Another example of this bronze group was sold in these Rooms on 27th February 1997, lot 300.
The original of the present model was exhibited at the Salon of 1873 in wax and in 1874 in bronze. An immensely popular and impressive group, casts are in museums at Morlaix, Toulon and the Chteau de Compine.
Another example of this bronze group illustrated in P. Kjellberg, Les Bronzes du XIX Sicle, 1987, p. 477.
Another example of this bronze group was sold in these Rooms on 27th February 1997, lot 300.