The Life and Art of Émile Bin
Born in Paris, Émile Bin was a multifaceted artist whose career spanned painting, printmaking, and draftsmanship. He received his initial instruction from his father, Jean-Baptiste François Bin, and later studied under his uncle, Nicolas Gosse. After working with Léon Cogniet, he entered the École des Beaux-arts in 1842. His artistic output was diverse, encompassing portraiture, mythology painting, and watercolor. As a decorative painter, he contributed to the interiors of various locations, including the Hôtel du Louvre, the Church of Saint-Sulpice, and the National Museum of Natural History. His skill in decorative arts was recognized at the International Exposition in 1867, where his collaboration on the Egyptian Pavilion earned him the Order of the Medjidie.
Political Activism and Legacy
Beyond the studio, Bin was a staunch Republican and a man of deep political conviction. He fought on the barricades in 1848 and 1851 and famously refused to paint a portrait of Napoleon III for the Town Hall of Montmartre. His political involvement extended to serving as the Mayor of the Eighteenth Arrondissement in 1883. In 1878, he was named a Knight of the Légion d'honneur, and he later became a founder of the Société des Artistes Français. His pedagogical influence was significant, as he taught several notable students, including:
Bin passed away in Marly-la-Ville.
