Maurice Maignen (Jules-Charles-Maurice Maignen) was born in Paris, on March 3, 1822, to Charles-Desire-Adelaide Maignen and Cecile-Josephine (née Chamigner), before the Revolution. He was baptized at Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois three days later. In 1818, his father, an artist, graduated from Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris, before joining the Military House of the King, as a bodyguard. His father returned to painting only after two years of service.