A Saddled Racehorse c. 1860s

This bronze sculpture of a saddled racehorse was made by Pierre-Jules Mêne, a French animalier sculptor. The horse embodies the 19th-century fascination with equestrian sports and the social status associated with owning thoroughbreds. Consider the rise of horse racing in France during this period, becoming a popular pastime among the aristocracy and the burgeoning middle class. Mêne's sculpture captures the elegance and power of the racehorse, reflecting the cultural values placed on athleticism and refined breeding. The detailed saddle and bridle emphasize the horse's role as a valuable possession. The choice of bronze, a material often associated with classical sculpture, elevates the status of the animal to that of a classical subject, thus telling us much about the social and economic values of the time. To fully understand Mêne's work, one can investigate the archives of equestrian clubs, sporting journals, and social histories of 19th-century France. The meanings of art are always contingent on such contexts.