During the 1860's, François CHARBONNEL works as a chemist in Paris . His skills in chemical engineering and his spirit of discovery lead him to consider creating a factory to produce ground inks and varnishes for intaglio and lithographic art printing. In 1862 this goal is achieved and the small family-sized buisiness opens up in Paris, 13 quai de Montebello, on the banks in front of the cathedral Notre-Dame. Painters such as PICASSO, RENOIR, DEGAS or MANET become regular clients of CHARBONNEL whose reputation in the matter of of intaglio inks has started to overcross the borders of France.