Legends of Sculpture - Jules Moigniez

Sculpting is a timeless artistic form that has produced some of humanity’s most priceless and enduring works of art. Over time, different genres and formats have derived from sculpting original form that have seen specialized artists emerge in their respective sculpting niche. One such artistic niche that saw its rise in popularity in the 19th century is animalier bronzes, small-scale sculptures of animals. Animalier bronzes were produced, often mass-produced, in France and elsewhere in Europe. Animaliers are artists who were known for their skills in the realistic portrayal of animals. One such animalier that was very successful in France, England and America during this period was Jules Moigniez.

Jules Moigniez (1834 - 1894) 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 to when he took his own life in 1894. Moigniez continued to cast his son’s work after his death. Upon his father’s death, the foundry as well as all the plasters and models were sold to Auguste George, who cast most of Paul’s Comolera’s works. George continued to produce Moigniez’s bronze sculpture until after the First World War, when the animalier bronzes fell out of style.

Jules Moigniez was a successful animalier sculptor in the 19th century who produced many bronze sculpture of birds, dogs and other domestic animals. Wholesales Sculptures offers affordable bronze sculptures of Moigniez for anyone who appreciates his sculpting style. Visit www.wholesalesculptures.com today for a variety of Moigniez’s bird dog sculptures.

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