Pierre-Jules Mêne

He was one of a school of French animalières which also included Rosa Bonheur, Paul-Edouard Delabrierre, Pierre Louis Rouillard, Antoine-Louis Barye, his son Alfred, son-in-law Auguste Caïn and François Pompon.

Mêne specialized in small bronze figures which explains why none of his works exist as public statuary.

His work was a popular success with the bourgeois class and many editions of each sculpture were made, often to decorate private homes.

However, original pieces cast during his lifetime continue to bring good prices at auction.

These castings can be recognized by the appearance of a small plaque, inscribed in Cyrillic, most often found on the underside of the base of the sculpture.