An Italian painter and
lithographer, Gonin was born at Turin, his paternal family being of
French origin. He studied at the Accademia Albertina di Belle Arti
at Turin, and was a pupil of Giovanni Battista Biscarra, and of Luigi
Vacca, whose daughter he later married. His subjects include portraits,
landscapes, history, and still lifes, and he was a follower of Van
Dyck. He collaborated with Carlo Bellosio for the frescoes at the
Royal Palace of Turin, and those at Racconigi Castle, executed between
1840 and 1847. He also painted frescoes for churches, theatres, and
other buildings at Turin. His best known lithographic work is his
illustrations for the 1840 edition of the Promessi Sposi. Gonin
died at Giaveno. His son was the artist,
Guido Gonin.
