"Hunter with a Fox"

Pierre-Jules Mêne (1810–1877) was a French animalier sculptor. Having trained in casting and artistic modeling, Mêne personally cast and chased his bronze models, working masterfully with patina. His works, first exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1838, gained recognition for their lyricism and expressiveness. The sculptor was repeatedly awarded top prizes at Paris Salons and World's Fairs and was a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. His models were reproduced in many European foundries, including the Kasli plant in the Urals.