Paul Eugène Mengin studied under Millet and Dumont and exhibited at the Salon from 1874 onwards, winning a travelling scholarship (1875), and an honourable mention (1877) and a third class medal (1885). He was also awarded a bronze medal at the Exposition of 1900. He specialised in animal figures and genre groups, of which the present example of Mignon is a good example.

Another example sold at Sotheby's, London, 17th March, 1989, lot 286.