Cheval Libre (Free Horse), 1868

Artist: After Pierre Jules Mene (French, 1810-1879)
Title: Cheval Libre (Free Horse)
Year: 1868
Medium: Cast bronze sculpture with dark brown patina
Edition: Unknown
Size: Including marble base is 12,5 x 15 x 7.5 inches
Size: Without marble base is 11.5 x 13.5 x 5.5 inches
Signature: Signed on the deck
Condition: Excellent
Description: This is a 20th Century posthumous cast.

Pierre Jules Mene, (P. J. Mene), was born in Paris in March of 1810 and died in Paris at number 9 Rue de L’Entrepot on May 21, 1879. The son of a metal turner, he received his earliest teaching on sculpture and foundry work from his
Much of Mene’s early studies were made at the “Jardin des Plantes” in Paris, where he developed great talent for animal sculpture. He first exhibited the bronze statuette entitled Dog and Fox at the Paris Salon in 1838, and from that time exhibited regularly until his death. He received four awards from the Paris Salon: Second Class in 1848, First Class in 1852 and 1861, and a Third Class award in 1855 He modeled over 150 subjects, and received the “Cross of the Legion of Honor” in 1861. He exhibited in England at the Great Expositions of 1855, 1867 and 1878, where he was praised as the “Landseer” of sculpture.

P. J. Mene was one of the most prolific and popular sculptors of the Animalier School, as well as one of it’s earliest pioneers. His sculptures were widely collected by the public. His only sculpture acquired by the State of France during his lifetime was the bronze Mounted Huntsman and His Hounds.
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Mene’s casts were of the highest quality and patinas. The last cast of an addition was edited as sharply as the first, and he was meticulous in the after work of his bronze casts, chiseling extremely fine details. His bronzes were signed in block letters “P. J. Mene” with no foundry marks.Continue Reading