BIOGRAPHY OF MEDALLISTS

Abrahamson, Abraham: Abraham Abrahamson (1754-1811), a German medallist, learned the art of medal engraving from his father and later studied in Italy.

Baffier, Jean: Jean Baffier (1851-1920), born in Neuvy le Barrois, in Berry, was a French sculptor and writer. In Paris he worked as a stonemason at the Cathedral of Nevers. As a sculptor he became known for bronze figurines and pewter pieces. Later he became interested in traditional music and folk tales and founded The Rise of Gaul. Like many of the folk movement founders, Jean Baffier had very reactionary and anti-Semitic ideas.

Brenet, Nicolas Guy Antoine: Nicolas Brenet (French) (1773 1846) was born and died in Paris. He contributed extensively to the Napoleonic series of medal, executed under the direction of Denon (over 50 pieces are know to have been done by him). His piece, "Austria Subdued", has been highlighted by Forrer with an illustration.

Conway, John Severinus: John Conway (1852-1925) was an American artist and sculptor. He received his artistic training at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Ecole Julien, and at the École des Beaux Arts. During his career Conway worked in Paris and Italy. His most famous work is the Milwaukee Soldiers Monument, a bronze sculpture titled “Victorious Charge” that was completed in Rome and shipped to Milwaukee. His works appear in several museums.

Dassier, Jean: The Dassier family constituted a group of celebrated Swiss medalists from the late 17th to mid-18th centuries. The father, Domaine Dassier (1641-1719), was Chief-engraver at the Mint of Geneva from 1677 to 1720. His son, Jean Dassier (1676-1763), who succeeded his father as Chief-engraver on his father=s death in 1720, studied die-sinking under his father and later in Paris under Mauger and Roettiers. One of Jean Dassier’s sons, Jacques Antoine (1715-1759), learned the art of die-sinking under the goldsmith Germain of Paris. He was engaged as Engraver at the Royal Mint, London from 1741-1757. Another son of Jean Dassier, Antoine (1718-1780), worked with his father for a number of years, issuing a series of medals bearing the signature DASSIER ET FILS. Jean Dassier is considered one of the greatest of the eighteenth century medalists. He was also the most prolific of the family, issuing several series of medals, including a series of small medals (jettons) Les metamorphoses d’Ovide, a series of medals representing celebrated men and women in France during the 17th century (les hommes illustres du siecle de Louis XIV), a series of medals depicting the principal Protestant Reformers, The Genevan Theologians, medals illustrating the history of Geneva and, when in England, a series of famous English men (The British Worthies) and a series of English Sovereigns from William I to George II. In conjunction with his son, he also issued a series of small medals illustrating Roman history.