The foundry in Sommevoire, in the Haute-Marne, was bought by Aubin Antoine Durenne in 1857. Very quickly, the company became a leader in French art casting and collected awards at the Paris and Vienna World Fairs. Durenne was even awarded the Légion d’Honneur for the quality of his art bronzes. Whether commemorative monuments, fountains, animal, religious or allegorical statues, kiosks or lush architectural decorations, Durenne bronzes or castings adorned countless cities in France, Spain, North and South America, as well as Russia.