Pair of large patinated bronze hunting dog models by Moigniez

Pair of large patinated bronze hunting dog models by Moigniez
French, Late 19th Century
Height 43cm, width 58cm, depth 21cm
 
Made in the late nineteenth century by the fine and acclaimed maker of animalier sculptures Jules Moigniez, these large patinated bronze sculptures depict a symmetrically designed pair of hunting dogs. One is modelled as short-haired retriever which holds a hare in its mouth, the other is a longer-haired retriever that holds a pheasant.
 
The fur, feathers, and textures of the dogs and animals, with a variety of muscular, soft, and wiry parts of anatomy are skilfully rendered by Moigniez, who is known for being able to delineate and emphatically bring out various textures in a highly naturalistic fashion, and the bronze is applied with a wonderfully realistic patina. These large works are exemplary of the best of his oeuvre, and make for an outstanding pair of sculptural and decorative objects.
 
Artist/Maker: Jules Moigniez