On Animalistic Art and the Spirit of Life (Analysis of a Sculptural Composition by Pierre-Jules Mêne)

The article outlines the key principles of teaching animalistic sculpture based on methodology developed by Sergey Lvovich Krivtsov (Honored Artist of Russia, senior teacher at the Academy of Watercolor and Fine Arts of Sergey Andriaka). Training in this technique is carried out within the framework of higher, pre-professional and supplementary art education programs at the Academy, as well as a part of the program of additional art education at the Educational Center “Sirius” (Sochi). The article addresses the problem of composition in animalistic sculpture. The work of the 19th century French sculptor Pierre-Jules Mêne “Greyhound With a Hare” is analyzed in detail by a professional artist. The paper describes the logic behind the sequential process of creating a sculpture: from the concept of the artistic image conceived by the author to a dynamic composition executed in compliance with the laws of biomechanics. The peculiarities of developing the main volumes, silhouette and relief of the composition are considered separately, taking into account the careful balance between the entire sculpture and its details, animal anatomy, interpretation of textures, as well as the proportional ratio of figures and plinth.