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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 Mene 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 Mene appears to be one of the best wax practitioners of his time . Ref: DHHTCG6PJC