The Penin Family: Renowned French Medal Artists from Lyon
Since 1830, the Penin name has been synonymous with exceptional craftsmanship in the world of medal engraving. Over several generations, members of the Penin family have produced high-quality religious and commemorative medals, leaving a lasting legacy in Lyon and beyond.
Marius Pons Jean-Baptiste Penin: The Foundation (1807-1880)
Marius Pons Jean-Baptiste Penin, born in 1807, hailed from a family of goldsmiths in Provence, France. His roots trace back to Flanders, Belgium, and he began his career apprenticing in repoussé and chasing techniques in Nîmes. Attracted by the burgeoning medal industry in Lyon, Marius moved to the city in the late 1820s, which at the time was the center of French medal production.
After working for various manufacturers, Marius’s talent became widely recognized when he showcased his personal work at the exhibitions of the Société des Amis des Arts. This recognition brought him commissions to produce tokens and medals for societies and institutions. His strong Catholic faith and artistic talent also led him to reinvigorate religious medals, gaining him the reputation as one of the best engravers in Lyon.
Marius Penin passed the family business to his son Ludovic in 1860 but continued to produce medals. In 1868, he engraved a memorial medal dedicated to Ludovic, who had died prematurely that year. Marius Penin himself passed away in 1880, leaving behind a strong artistic legacy.
Ludovic Penin: The Religious Engraver (1830-1868)
Ludovic Penin, Marius’s son, followed in his father’s footsteps and focused on creating religious medals. His first signed work appeared in 1859, and his exceptional talent was soon recognized by the Catholic Church. In 1864, Pope Pius IX honored Ludovic with the title of Pontifical Engraver, a title that remained throughout the reigns of Pope Pius IX, Pope Leo XIII, and Pope Pius XI.
Despite his burgeoning career, Ludovic died young in 1868, at the age of 38, shortly after acquiring a medal factory in Montchat. His contributions to religious medal artistry had a profound influence on the field, and his early death marked a significant loss to the Penin family legacy.
Alexandre Poncet: Continuing the Legacy (1844-1913)
Following Ludovic’s death, Alexandre Poncet, an engraver recommended by sculptor Fabisch, took over the family business. Alexandre had completed his apprenticeship under Marius Penin, making him a natural successor. He married Ludovic’s daughter and became a partner in the family enterprise, which was renamed Penin-Poncet.
Poncet continued to mint Ludovic’s designs while also producing his own work. He played a crucial role in maintaining the family’s reputation for producing high-quality religious and commemorative medals.
Adolphe Penin: A New Chapter (1888-1940)
Adolphe Penin, Ludovic’s grandson, took over the family business in the early 20th century. After graduating from the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts of Lyon and Paris, where he studied under Henri Auguste Jules Patey, Adolphe’s career was interrupted by World War I. Wounded during the war, his engraving output was limited, but he still managed to produce a series of saint medals and commissions for the Sanctuary of Lourdes.
Adolphe’s primary contribution to the Penin legacy was his management of the family business, ensuring its continued success throughout the early 20th century.
Paul Penin: The Modern Era (1921-1999)
Adolphe’s son, Paul Penin, succeeded him in 1950. Like his father, Paul trained at the Beaux-Arts schools of Lyon and Paris, where he was a student of the renowned artist Henri Dropsy. Paul engraved over 2,000 medals during his career, including significant religious and civil commissions. His work upheld the family’s high standards and introduced new designs, making him one of the most prolific medallists in France.
During the second half of the 19th century, medals signed Penin-Poncet à Lyon were produced by both Edmond Penin (possibly a son or grandson of Marius) and Louis Poncet. Another enigmatic signature, L. Penin Fec., remains a mystery but may point to a short-lived collaboration between Ludovic Penin and another engraver.
The Decline and Modern Changes
In 1999, the Penin family business was purchased by the renowned house of Giard in Paris. Unfortunately, in recent years, parts of the family’s legacy were transferred to China by a Belgian company that acquired many of the original matrices. Today, some newly minted religious medals bearing the Penin signature are produced in China, a controversial chapter in the long history of this prestigious family.
Conclusion
For nearly two centuries, the Penin family contributed to the art of medal engraving in France, with a strong focus on religious themes. From the pioneering work of Marius Penin to the modern production under Paul Penin, their legacy remains a vital part of French artistic history. Despite the challenges of modern times, the name Penin continues to evoke craftsmanship, artistry, and devotion.
Copyright © Artefacts-Collector