Fine Art, Antiques and Estate Jewelry
Lot 76:
Description
A copper electrotype sculpture of Chien Braque Suet no. 1 after Pierre Jules Mêne (French, 1810-1879), signed P.J. MENE 1842, handwritten in black ink 301 and 190, handwritten in purple ink 1900.This finely textured model was produced using the copper-electrotype process, a technique developed in the early 19th century in which a thick layer of copper is deposited over the mold through electrolysis. The method attracted considerable interest from leading sculptors of the period, including Pierre-Jules Mêne and Antoine-Louis Barye, both of whom explored its potential but ultimately chose not to adopt it extensively.
The principal advantage of copper-electrotype lies in its exceptional fidelity to the original model. Unlike bronze, where subtle textures can be softened during casting or lost in finishing, electrotype reproductions preserve even the most delicate surface details with extraordinary precision. As the surface cannot be cold-worked or retooled after plating, the result is a direct and highly accurate expression of the artist’s intent.
The present example offers rare insight into Mêne’s sculptural vocabulary at its most exacting. The fine stippling of the ground, the crisp fluting of the Pointer’s collar, and the remarkably naturalistic rendering of the coat and musculature demonstrate Mêne’s celebrated understanding of anatomy and texture. While the artist’s bronze editions of this model are universally admired, few convey the depth and clarity of surface detail seen here.
11 1/2 W x 4 1/2 D x 8 H
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Condition: Open fissure in the top of the tail where it meets the tail bone, light wear to surface including the tip of his nose, the front left corner of the base, a scuff to his ribs, the outer edges of his ears; a few specks of verdigris; a few replaced nuts under the base.
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Dimensions: 8 x 11.5 x 4.5 in
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