Pierre Jules Mene Artwork valuations, appraisals and auction estimates

Pierre Jules Mene (1810 - 1879), French sculptor, is known as one of the precursors of the 19th century Animalier genre. His major works include sculptures of animals such as horses, cows, bulls, sheep and goats, which were highly prized during the 19th century. Read the full biography

Pierre Jules Mene (1810 - 1879), French sculptor, is known as one of the precursors of the 19th century Animalier genre. His major works include sculptures of animals such as horses, cows, bulls, sheep and goats, which were highly prized during the 19th century. Mene was a member of a school of artists, which included artists such as Rosa Bonheur, Paul-Edouard Delabrierre, Pierre Louis Rouillard, Antoine-Louis Barye, his son Alfred, his son-in-law Auguste Caïn and François Pompon.
Ernest Gambart first exhibited Mene's works in London in 1849. The artist specialized in small bronze figures, which is why his works are not featured as public statuary. His work was a great success with the bourgeois class. The quality of Mene's works is comparable to that of Barye, and he is considered the expert in investment casting of his time.