Pierre Jules Mene (1810 -1879), was a French sculptor. It is considered a pioneer of animal sculpture in the nineteenth century. He produced numerous sculptures of animals, especially popular during the Second Empire, one can even speak of a French school that would include animal Pierre Louis Rouillard, Antoine-Louis Barye, Auguste Cain, Pierre Jules Mêne and François Pompon. Mêne specialized in small bronzes which explains not found any of his works in public statuary. His works have been extremely popular and have been very many prints. Exclusive publisher of his works, the perfection of his productions is recognized and it turns out, with Barye, as one whose success has been the most consistent, and over the longest period. Lead appears to be the best practitioner of the wax of his time. However, and because of this proliferation, the work of this artist suffers a prejudice devaluing relative to other authors and there is currently a lot of false for this artist.
