Setter with Rabbit, 19th century bronze, Jules Moigniez (1835-1894)

Bronze Setter

An excellent casting of this popular subject of an Irish Setter on alert with a rabbit hiding in the undergrowth by Jules Moigniez. Rich dark brown patination. with fine detail. Perfect condition. approx 13 inches wide 7.5 inches high and 5.5 inches deep. Moigniez exhibited widely at the Salon between 1859-1892and, the first being pointer stopping at a Pheasant in 1859, which was also exhibited at the Exposition Universelle in 1855 when he was only 20 years old. Jules Moigniez was born in Senlis, France. He was a student of Paul Comolera, who was known for his modeling of birds and domestic farm animals. Moigniez’s attraction to bird sculpture from his studies under his teacher and his most prevalent subjects were game birds, but he also enjoyed sculpting dogs, horses and equestrian groups. At the age of 20, Moigniez made his recorded debut at an exhibit at the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1855. He exhibited a plaster titled “Pointer Stopping at a Pheasant”. He continued to exhibit regularly at the annual Salons from 1859 to 1892, where he showed a total of thirty works. He also exhibited in England at the London International Exhibition of 1862 and was awarded a medal. Moigniez found a very receptive audience in England and became very fashionable. It is estimated that up to half of his career’s output was exported to Britain. Moigniez also experienced success in France and America as well, where the majority of his game bird sculptures were sold. Most of Moigniez’s bronze sculptures were cast by his father, who was a metal gilder. It is believed that his father established his bronze foundry in 1857 for the sole purpose of casting his son’s work. The Moigniezs’ were constantly experimenting with new finishes. Many of Moigniez’s bronzes were gilded, silver-plated or had very unusual patinas applied to them. In 1869, Moigniez became very ill and never recovered. He produced no new pieces of work after his illness until he took his own life in 1894.