The Sorcerers of Fire – Joseph and Pierre Mougin

Show & Culture

In summer 2026, the Abbaye des Prémontrés shines a spotlight on a remarkable collection of pieces from a vast private collection, entirely dedicated to the Mougin Brothers. Joseph (1876-1961) and Pierre Mougin (1880-1955) were leading ceramists and sculptors from Nancy, key figures of the École de Nancy and the emergence of Art Deco. Trained at the École des Beaux-Arts de Nancy and in the workshop of sculptor Pierron, Joseph, the elder brother, continued his apprenticeship in Paris in the renowned studio of Ernest Barrias. Soon joined by his brother Pierre, they first opened a workshop in Montrouge, before returning to settle permanently in Nancy in 1906, a city buzzing with artistic energy. After 1918, their activities continued in Lunéville. Their works, emblematic of the ceramic revival in Lorraine, span a long period from Art Nouveau inspirations to the more restrained and geometric lines of Art Deco. The Mougin brothers stand out for their exceptional mastery of high-fired stoneware and their in-depth, innovative research on glazes. They created original, powerful, and expressive works, and later also produced models designed in close collaboration with other renowned artists such as Victor Prouvé, Alfred Finot, and Géo Condé. Their talent was officially recognized in 1925 when they received the Grand Prix for art ceramics at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts, definitively establishing their place in the history of French decorative arts.