The Medals of Jules Chaplain

Jules-Clément Chaplain (1839-1909) was a prolific and well-known French sculptor and medalist. After honing his craft in Rome, he returned to Paris where his talents as a medalist were quickly recognized. He became the official medalist of the French government, and went on to engrave several French gold coins in additon to official portrait medals. Chaplain is credited as being a co-founder (with Louis Arthur Roty) of the Art Nouveau movement. He was a chevalier of the Légion d’honneur and a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts.