Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier

Who was Juste-Aurèle Meissonnier?

Juste Aurèle Meissonier was a French goldsmith, sculptor, painter, architect, and furniture designer.

He was born at Turin, but became known as a worker in Paris, where he died. His Italian origin and training were probably responsible for the extravagance of his decorative style. He shared, and perhaps distanced, the meretricious triumphs of Oppenard and Germain, since he dealt with the Rococo in its most daring and flamboyant developments.

Rarely does he leave a foot or two of undecorated space; Meissonier carried the style of his day to its extreme and thus achieved great popularity. Like the English brothers Adam at a later day he not only as architect built houses, but as painter and decorator covered their internal walls; he designed the furniture and the candlesticks, the silver and the decanters for the table; he was as ready to produce a snuff-box as a watch case or a sword hilt.

Not only in France, but for the nobility of Poland, Portugal and other countries who took their fashions and their taste from Paris, he made designs. His work in gold and silver-plate was often graceful and sometimes bold and original.