Pierre Jules Mene French Bronze Sculpture of “Spanish Griffon Dog Seizing a Duck”

A very fine atelier cast executed in Mene’s own foundry circa the second quarter of the nineteenth-century, this group is a portion of the larger group of Mene’s Chasse au Canard exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1850. Preparatory drawings for this dog are retained in Mene’s working papers (ill. 16, Poletti) with a title of Épagneul de la Chasse au canard and include dimensions in centimeters capturing how the dog should be proportioned in this stance. After his death in 1879, this model continued to be cast in his atelier by his son-in-law Auguste Cain and offered in his catalogue as number 63 at 90 francs until the model and casting rights were acquired by Susse Freres in 1908 and offered in their catalogue of Mene’s work also as number 63 at 150 francs.

Note the exquisite chiseling and detailing of every hair fiber along the griffon, the formation of individual toe nails and perfect photographic realism throughout. It is finished in a dark brown surface patina with light undertones of red and amber. Detail is captured almost entirely from the mold itself with very little cold-tooling. The underside shows several peened posts, one flat-headed screw and a later washer-and-nut attachment.

Artist Listings & Bibliography:

Pierre-Jules Mene: Catalogue raisonné, Poletti & Richarme, 2007, p. 112

Measurements: 17″ W x 6″ D x 5 3/4″ H

Condition Report:
Very fine original condition with a well-preserved surface patina throughout; carefully cleaned and sealed with a fresh beeswax; replaced washer-and-nut attachment to the underside with rust (due to metal mismatch), probably early 20th century; ready to place.