Jules Moigniez

French, 1835- 1894. Jules Moigniez was a sculptor famous for his animal figurines during the 19th century. The artist mainly made bronze casts which he also exhibited multiple times at the Paris Salon. Jules Moigniez’s sculptures often feature birds, horse figurines, and prominently racing scenes. They also featured hunting scenes involving dog figurines which gained quite acclaim among collectors. These sculptures portrayed his versatile skills. Jules Moigniez’s sculptures at auction often offer his famous bird sculptures, his finest works.

The artist was born on May 28, 1835, in Oise, France. His father was a metal gilder and later purchased a foundry to cast Moigniez’s sculptures. It benefited him as he saved on foundry costs which most of his fellow sculptors had to pay during those times. The artist learned sculpture in Paris from sculptor Paul Comoléra, a pupil of François Rude. Moigniez's liking for bird sculptures is due to Paul Comoléra’s influence on his art, as the latter specialized in bird figurines. In 1855, Jules Moigniez’s sculpture was shown first time at a major art event. The Exposition Universelle featured Moigniez’s 1855 figurine Pointer Stopping at a Pheasant. Jules Moigniez’s sculptures at auction often feature his signature style that incorporated highly adorned bases featuring fences along with bird figurines. It was a distinct feature of his bird sculpture as animalier sculptors of those times like Antoine-Louis Barye and Pierre Jules Mène only concentrated on their subjects. After the war, his work gained popularity and often came up for sale in America and England.

The artist died on May 29, 1894. Even after his death, Moigniez’s father continued to cast his bronze sculptures. Today, Jules Moigniez’s sculptures for sale are often available in many art galleries and auction houses. Collectors can also find Jules Moigniez’s sculptures at auction on leading online auction platforms.