French Antique Bronze Sculpture of Ibrahim, Arabian Stallion by Pierre J. Mene

PIERRE-JULES MÊNE
French, 1810-1879

"Ibrahim - Cheval Arabe Ramené d'Egypte no. 2"

Sand-cast bronze with medium-brown patina and red undertones
Signed in base "P.J. MÊNE" and titled along front edge "IBRAHIM"
Atelier cast circa 1860

7 3/4" H x 3 1/4" D x 9" W

A fine atelier casting of Ibrahim - Cheval Arabe Ramené d'Egypte no. 2 by Pierre Jules Mene depicting the Arabian stallion winner of the French Derby. Originally modeled in 1843 and exhibited at Salon the same year, this study of Ibrahim was Mene's first major equestrian subject and proved to be his most successful. In light of the immediate demand for the model, both in France and in the English market, Ibrahim was offered in 3 sizes from Mêne's atelier in his 1846 catalogue as Étalon arabe (dit Ibrahim): no. 1 at 31.7 cm x 38 cm x 13.5 cm, no. 2 at 20 cm x 22.5 cm x 8 cm and no. 3 in 11 cm x 13 cm. These were cast by Mêne through his death and by his son-in-law Auguste Cain through 1908, thereafter being cast by Barbedienne and offered in their catalogues of 1894 for 80 francs and in 1901 for 50 francs.

The present example was sand-cast circa 1860 on a loosely naturalistic free-form oblong base with rounded corners, the stallion affixed through the base using early slotted machined screws from the underside. Much of the detail in the model is captured directly from the mold. These details have been finished with crisp tooling, hand-filing and chasing throughout which distinguish the surface beautifully. Veins running throughout his face, along his belly and the length of his legs are well-developed. The front edge is cold-stamped with the title IBRAHIM and the front corner it is signed "P.J. MÊNE".

Literary references:

Pierre-Jules Mêne, Catalogue Raisonné, M. Poletti and A. Richarme, 2007, p. 61-63
Art Bronzes, Michael Forrest, 1988, p. 182, f. 3.55

Condition Report:
Original patina. Light rubbing wear to raised elements, including the nose, edges of the base and the back hip. Surface carefully cleaned and sealed in wax; a fine presentation.

ref. 603LRF23P