Ateliers Hugo is a distinguished goldsmith’s studio based in Aix-en-Provence, France, specialising in the creation, production, and publication of artistic jewellery.

 

Founded in 1933 by François Hugo (1899–1981), and later taken over by his son
Pierre Hugo (1947–2023), the studio is now directed by François’s grandson,
Nicolas Hugo (b. 1989). This three-generation creative enterprise continues a family legacy that began with the renowned French writer Victor Hugo (1802–1885),
François Hugo’s great-grandfather.

 

The studio is particularly noted for its extensive collaboration with Pablo Picasso,
with whom it produced a remarkable series of gold and silver plates, dishes, sculptures, medallions, earrings, and other works. Ateliers Hugo is widely recognised for its pivotal role in establishing artists’ jewellery as a distinct artistic medium. It was the first goldsmith
to translate the visions of leading 20th- and 21st-century artists into wearable forms.

 

Beyond Pablo Picasso, the studio has collaborated with many influential figures in modern art, including Salvador Dalí, Max Ernst, Jean Cocteau, Dorothea Tanning, Jean Arp,
and André Derain, among others. These partnerships continue to shape its reputation among collectors and art audiences internationally.