Group of Rabbits before 1879

This sculpture, Group of Rabbits, was created by Pierre-Jules Mêne in the 19th century, using bronze. The artist captured the animals' poses with a remarkable degree of realism. But beyond the charming subject matter, the sculpture opens a window onto the industrial processes of the time. Mêne was known for animal sculptures, and he took full advantage of the reproducibility of bronze to reach a wide audience. He used the lost-wax casting method which allowed him to produce intricate details. The final product, with its carefully applied patinas, would have been a popular luxury item, made possible by the efficiency of industrial production. Consider, though, that the very notion of "art" would once have been inseparable from the skilled labor of its making. Mêne's sculpture reflects a shift towards mass production, even as it retains the mark of the artist's hand. This piece challenges us to reconsider the distinctions between fine art and craft, labor, and leisure, production and consumption.