2777 - Pierre Jules Mène (1810, Paris – 1879, ibid.) after

Pierre Jules Mène (1810, Paris – 1879, ibid.) after "Le fauconnier arabe à cheval." Original title Bronze, with a brown patina. Signed “P. J. MÊNE.” A fully three-dimensional, lively depiction of an Arab falconer who has reined in his horse to release his falcon—held in his raised right hand—to fly off on the hunt. Alongside Antoine-Louis Barye, Pierre-Jules Mène was the most significant French animal sculptor of the 19th century; in particular, his realistic hunting scenes and depictions of horses rank among the very best in these fields. The “Arabian Falconer” was exhibited as a wax model at the 1873 Salon and in bronze in 1874. In 1838, Mène founded his own foundry so that he could execute his works in bronze with technical and artistic perfection. Bronze height: 76 cm; total height: 89 cm. See general literature: Michel Poletti and Alain Richarme: “Pierre-Jules Mène (1810–1879). Catalogue raisonné," Paris, Univers du bronze, 2007, pp. 38ff. After Pierre Jules Mène (1810–1879). Brown-patinated bronze. Inscribed "P. J. MÊNE." Dark green and black marble base.