Rating and value of sculptures and bronzes by Pierre-Jules Mène

If you own a work by or after the artist Pierre Jules Mène, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services.

Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with an accurate estimate of its value on the current market.

Then, should you wish to sell your work, we will direct you to the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.

Rating and value of the artist Pierre Jules Mène     

Pierre Jules Mène is one of the leading exponents of animal sculpture in the 19th century. At present, prices for his works are exploding under the auctioneers' gavel.

His sculptures are particularly prized especially by French buyers, and the price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €5 to €67,050, a considerable delta but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Mène's works.

A bronze statue, L'accolade, sold for €67,050 while it was estimated at between €29,400 and €40,800. The artist's quotation is high and varies according to the quantity of works present on the auction market.

Order of value ranging from a single work to the most prestigious

Style and technique by artist Pierre Jules Mène      

Pierre Jules Mène was one of the great masters of 19th-century animal sculpture in France, part of the " animaliers " school. He showed a preference for domestic or hunting animals (horses, dogs, cattle, sheep).

His ambition is naturalistic, as his sculptures aim to render the movement, anatomy and life of the animal in realistic and often salient postures. The format is rather modest; the artist does not produce monumental public statues, but small models for domestic ornament or private collection.

He produces in multiple editions : many copies of his models are cast, which has ensured wide distribution, but also a difficulty in authentication.

His preferred method is bronze, he uses the lost wax technique to obtain precise details. He has a personal mastery of casting, having founded his own models since 1837, which also allows him to control the creative process.

After the bronze is cast, details (horsehair, hair, muscles, skin texture) are chiseled, polished or retouched by hand to refine surfaces. Patinas are applied in brown or dark patinas to enhance modeling, shadows and emphasize three-dimensionality.

Animals are often rendered in motion, giving the illusion of running, animated pose or expressive posture, which requires rigorous modeling.

The life of Pierre-Jules Mène

Pierre Jules Mène (1810 - 1879) was the son of Dominique Mène, a metal turner, who introduced him to the metal trades (casting, chasing). He first worked as a modeler for porcelain factories, then began sketching animals at the Jardin des Plantes, as did many sculptors of the time.

He received artistic training from René Compaire, and set up his own workshop (his foundry) around 1837 - 1838, in order to produce his own bronzes. He exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1838 until his death, and took part in the Universal Exhibitions of 1855, 1862 and 1878. He received several medals at the Salon, a first-class medal and was made a chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1861.

He managed the casting and finishing of his bronzes himself, controlling the wax to the final product. His son-in-law Auguste Cain worked in his workshop, which he continued after his death. The Susse Frères foundry subsequently acquired the rights to reproduce his models after his death.

His animal sculptures were very popular and widely distributed, and established him as one of the most prolific animal sculptors of the 19th century. Today, his works can be found in numerous museums in France, such as the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée, as well as abroad, notably in collections.

This artist's work presents a particularity : many posthumous re-editions were made, making it complex to distinguish between contemporary prints and originals.

Market segmentation and artist rating

The categories of works valued for Pierre-Jules Mène are sculptures in bronze (animal models, horses, dogs) which form the core of the market, but also small models and small editions with common subjects. Objects and reliefs (decorative elements in bronze, bas-reliefs) are also valued.

The " high-end " segment is made up of rare or large-format pieces, with signed historical sculptures, prestigious provenance and well-preserved antique patinas.

The intermediate segment, meanwhile, is made up of common medium-format models, not very rare but signed editions. Small sculptures, small editions and models frequently sold at regional auctions are the most accessible segment.

Typical buyers are collectors of 19th-century art and animal sculpture, bronze enthusiasts and specialized galleries. The secondary market is predominant, with the majority of transactions taking place through auctions and the antique dealer circuit. Sales take place mainly in Paris and Western Europe, with Anglo-Saxon collectors also interested in French animal art.

Current sales are between €100 and €800, in recent sales of modest animal subjects. The bronze " After Pierre Jules Mene Horses " sold for $3,375, and the Greyhound Whippet model, estimated between $150-200, sold for $1,416 USD in a recent sale.

The quotation remains sustained for classic animal models, but high-value pieces are rare. Variation factors include the size and complexity of the model, signature and attribution (origin of cast, posthumous or original edition), patina, state of conservation and restoration. We also note provenance, age, historical decoration and market fashion for animal sculpture.

Recognizing Pierre-Jules Mène's signature

Pierre Jules Mène signs his works most of the time. If you think you own one, it's best to have it appraised. Some sculptures bear the signature " P.J. Mène " or " Pierre-Jules Mène " engraved on the terrace. Copies also exist, which is why expertise is important.

Knowing the value of a work

If you happen to own a work by or after Pierre-Jules Mène, don't hesitate to request a free valuation using our form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your work, as well as ad hoc information about it.

If you are considering selling your work, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.