Pierre Jules Mêne (French, 1810–1879) was a sculptor and animalière, and is considered to be the pioneer of animal sculpture. Born in Paris, Mêne received his training from his father, who was a metalworker, and made an early living producing decorative adornments for furniture and clocks. In 1838, he established his own foundry, where he cast and sold bronzes, and made his debut at the Salon with a group entitled Dog and Fox. From that point until his death, he was a regular exhibitor at the Salon, and received awards as well as state commissions. He was awarded a medal at the celebrated Salon of 1848, and first class medals in 1852 and 1861, as well as the Legion d'Honneur.

Mêne is best known for his sculptures of horses and dogs, and his work set the standard for the animalière school, which included artists Rosa Bonheur, Pierre Louis Rouillard, Antoine-Louis Barye, his son-in-law Auguste Caïn, and François Pompon.

Today, his work can be found in prestigious institutions around the world, including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Louvre in Paris, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Courtauld Institute of Art in London.