Small bronze bull by Jules Moigniez
3.75"L x 1.5"W x 2.5"H

Jules Moigniez
(source: Wiki) Jules Moigniez (28 May 1835 - 29 May 1894) was a French animalier sculptor who worked during the 19th century. His output was primarily cast in bronze and he frequently exhibited his sculptures at the Paris Salon. He was best known for his bronzes depicting birds, although his skill and versatility enabled him to produce quality horse sculptures (primarily racehorses), dog sculptures and hunting scenes. His bird sculptures were among the finest ever created in his time.

Over the course of his 40-year sculpting career Moigniez exhibited thirty works at the Salon between 1855-92. His first submission in a major art exhibition was his plaster, Pointer Stopping at a Pheasant, at the Exposition Universelle of 1855. Moigniez was known for the fine detail and chiseling of his sculptures. His bronzes--usually cast using the lost wax method--were always immaculately chased and patinated, and were especially popular in England and Scotland. More than half of his output during his lifetime was sold in the United Kingdom. By the end of the 19th century, his sculpture had become popular in the United States as well.

In contrast with other animaliers of the period such are P. J. Mene and Antoine-Louis Barye, Moigniezs bird sculptures often incorporated highly detailed bases complete with bushes, extensive foliage and undergrowth. His castings were generally of excellent quality with a variety of patinas, the gilded and silvered patinas being the most desirable and sought after by collectors.

His bronzes could be reproached for an excess of detail, a result of overly finicky, excessive chiseling. Moigniez received redemption, however, by portraying in his sculpture a certain elegance of attitudes. His Chien braque arrêtant un faisan (1859), cast in bronze, was acquired by the French government for the chateau of Compiegne.

As early as December 1869 his sculptures had begun to be imported to the United States by the Philadelphia jewelry firm of J. E. Caldwell & Co. who had a store at 902 Chesnut Street. The store also advertised works by Grégoire, Carrier-Belleuse, Mene, and other French sculptors.

Good condition overall