catalog text
PIERRE JULES MENE
French, 1810-1879
"Valet de Limier" (1879)
Sand-cast bronze with medium-brown patination with underlying copperish hues | Cast signature "P.J. MÊNE" | atelier Mêne-Cain, cast circa 1880-1910
Item # 405XCG11Q
This was the last piece Mêne exhibited as a wax model presented at Salon in 1879; it was registered as no. 5224 and was titled Valet de Limier. It was produced subsequently in the Mêne-Cain atelier from 1879 through 1908 and was also cast by F. Barbedienne during that period, included in their 1894 catalogue for 425 francs. The Mêne-Cain catalogue of 1901 included this model as number 7, Valet de Limier, offering it in the original dimension of 47 cm for 360 francs. In 1908, Susse put forth a catalogue titled put forth by Susse Freres titled Collection compléte des Bronzes d'Art de P.-J. Méne et de Aug. Cain, Sujets de Chasse - Animaux which included the sculpture for 400 francs.
A complex group depicting a bloodhound dog and his handler, the present model highlights Méne's exceptional ability to capture human and animal subjects with equal affect. His "Valet" is exceptionally well-modeled with the minute detail in the figure's vest, buttons, cross-body sword harness and ribbon around his cap fully represented. The valet holds in his hand a cluster of oak branches and leaves while leading the dog, his body fully engaged with a scent along the naturalistic base. The reverse of the dog is cast with an S, a mark that Polleti & Richarme note may refer to the dogs of either Rallye Sivry (active 1867 through 1880) of the Viscount Aguado, or of Rallye Servant (active 1852 through 1894).
The model was cast by the atelier operated by Auguste Cain, who took over his father-in-law Pierre-Jules Mêne's foundry after his death in 1879. This was operated until 1908 and the quality of the models he produced are close rivals to those his father-in-law personally oversaw. Note on this example the incredibly freshness of the cast throughout with a signature captured directly from the original mold without any cold-tooling or chiseling required.
It is worth noting the replacement of the leash and the loss to the ring that would secure the leash, as it is the only flaw to the sculpture, which has otherwise been exquisitely preserved in the same condition it left the foundry in.
The gallery currently owns a Barbedienne cast of the same model produced roughly the same time and the quality of surface between them is most instructive - for example, the full articulation of the heads on the sword pommel, the very fine detail of his shoe lacings and garment details, the careful chiseling of detail into the oak leaves and the finer points of texture throughout are almost jeweler-grade in their execution.
An incredible acquisition for the serious collector of Mêne's work.
Artist Listings & Bibliography:
- Pierre-Jules Mêne, Catalogue raisonné, Polleti & Richarme, 2007, p. 31, cat. no. f4, ill. 19
- Bronze Sculpture of Les Animaliers, Jane Horswell, 1971, p. 103-173, present example p. 171
- Bronzes of the Nineteenth Century, A Dictionary of Sculptors, Pierre Kjellberg, p. 469-486, present example pictured f. 1 p. 471
Market results on this model:
- Sotheby's, New York, 29 November 2007, Sale N08369, lot 78, signed "P.J. MÊNE" (subsequent dating of 1879 absent in same manner as the present example), achieved $ 13,750 USD
- Doyle, New York, 12 February 2008, lot 2064A, model missing portion of leash, signed "P.J. MÊNE 1879", achieved $ 11,000 USD
- Christie's, London, 14 November 2018, lot 724, a posthumous model missing leash and with extensive patina damage/wear, achieved 6250 GBP (approximately $ 8,000 USD at prevailing 1.2822 conversion rate time of sale)
- Bonhams, London, 11 January 2011, lot 177, a posthumous model cast by Susse Freres circa 1908-1939, achieved 4400 GBP (approximately $ 8450 USD at prevailing 1.57 conversion rate time of sale)
Measurements: 18 5/8" H x 8 5/8" D x 14 1/2" W
Condition Report:
A very fine original patina with only the most minor wear to the raised elements; carefully cleaned and sealed in conservator's grade wax; leash is replaced and there is a loss to the ring at the joint of the leash with the collar; an exceedingly fine cast in showroom condition, ready to place.