Setter (setting right) c. 1840 - 1845

Pierre-Jules Mêne created this bronze sculpture of a Setter, sometime in the mid-19th century. Mêne was a key figure in the animalier movement in France. Animaliers, like Mêne, made it their subject to represent animals realistically in sculpture, and these were often small bronzes, suitable for display in the home. The rise of this kind of sculpture is closely bound up with the rise of the bourgeoisie in France and Europe. With wealth came leisure, and hunting was seen as a suitable pastime for the elite. Dogs, especially hunting breeds like the Setter, became increasingly popular, and so did images of them. To fully understand this sculpture, it is vital to research its cultural context. We must analyze how economic shifts and social norms shaped artistic production in 19th-century France, recognizing the role of art in reflecting and reinforcing social hierarchies.