Catalog: Fine Art (20)

A very good bronze figure of a hound by Piere-Jules Mene (1810-1877). The hound stands alert look over his shoulder at the viewer. The rectangular base is well-textured with rocks and branches, typical of Mene's style. The shape of the base suggests that the casting is from Mene's own foundry and dates to the 1840s. The dogs is nicely detailed. The figure is finished in a dark black/brown patina. The front left corner of the base is signed P. J. Mene. There is no foundry mark.

The tail is cast separately, then attached to the rest of the figure with a threaded bronze pin. It is possibly an early repair, but the perfect match of patina and the precision of the fit suggests that the tail was intentionally cast separately.

Origin: France, ca. 1848. Condition: excellent; a small rub to patina on the back side of the hound's hind flank; see note about the tail above. Size: 5-1/4" x 2-1/8" x 3-1/2" high.

A good, small-size 19th century Mexican retablo depicting San Jeronimo. After a spiritual revelation, the saint lived as a hermit, often flagellating himself with a scourge and beating himself with rocks. He is shown here his traditional attributes of penitence--the bloody scourge, a skull, and rocks. He is often shown with fresh self-inflicted wounds, in this case a spray of blood droplets from his chest. San Jeronimo was the first to translate the Hebrew text of the Old Testament into Latin and is considered one of the four most learned founders of the Catholic church. The retablo also shows an open book to symbolize his efforts. A trumpet blasts into the saint's ear as a reminder of his spiritual awakening. And finally, a peaceful lion crouches next to the saint. This example is well-painted in muted colors that contrast nicely with the bright orangey-red color of the saint's cloak. Images of San Jeronimo were popular throughout Mexico, but it is estimated that he appears in less than 4% of all retablos.

Origin: Mexico, ca. 1880. Condition: excellent, no paint loss. Size: 5-3/8" x 7-3/8".