"Chien Braque Assis Gardant un Lapin" | Pierre Jules Mene

PIERRE JULES MÊNE
French, 1810-1879

"Chien Braque Assis Gardant un Lapin"

Sand-cast patinated bronze | signed to base "P.J. MÊNE" | circa 1880, atelier Mêne-Cain (1879-1908)

Item # 308LBW06P  A simplified version of Mêne's Chien gardant du gibier of 1850, the composition was reduced to feature the same dog with a rabbit lying at his feet instead of being hung against a tree trunk together with a bird - we may still have an example of Chien gardant du gibier still available in the gallery. It is a relatively rare cast and even those few casts are posthumous, which is likely due to its low production during Mêne's lifetime. The model was available in the Mêne-Cain catalogue of 1901 as no. 72 (available for 55 francs in 20x25 cm) and later in the Susse catalogue of 1908, still as no. 72 and available for 70 francs.

This example features the early construction methods with slotted screws and a single hand-cut nut on a threaded bolt joining the sand-cast naturalistic base to the seated dog. It is a rather early cast executed at the atelier of Mêne-Cain posthumously circa 1880 and it features an overall dark brown patina with hints of caramel and lighter tones; the base is signed in the typical manner "P.J. MÊNE" with a slight raised ridge around the letters. Artist Listings & Bibliography: Pierre-Jules Mêne, Catalogue raisonné, Poletti & Richarme, 2007, p. 98, fig. CHI 12

Measurements: 7 7/8" H x 9 5/8" W x 5 1/4" D Condition Report:
Trace wear to the patina on the reverse of the dog (his back shoulder, a bit along the ridge of his back, his calf), the tip of his nose, hints of verdigris in crevices, points of rubbing to patina on high relief; carefully cleaned and sealed in wax, a fine presentation.