Artwork
Portrait of an Officer
Portrait of an Officer is an ivory painting by Pierre Charles Cior. It dates from 1813 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The ivory miniature emphasizes delicacy while the crisp rendering of his epaulettes and sword hints at martial valor and personal distinction.
The painting portrays a young military officer in formal dress, his posture and uniform indicating rank and authority typical of early‑19th‑century European officers. The ivory miniature emphasizes delicacy while the crisp rendering of his epaulettes and sword hints at martial valor and personal distinction. As a portrait, it functions both as a record of the sitter’s social standing and as a symbolic affirmation of the virtues associated with the officer class, discipline, loyalty, and leadership, within the cultural context of the Napoleonic era. The work thus encapsulates the intersection of personal identity and broader martial ideals of its time.
History & Provenance
Portrait of an Officer is an ivory miniature painted in 1813 by Pierre Charles Cior, depicting a military officer. The work is recorded as having been created that year and is presently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been exhibited. No further details about earlier ownership, commission, or subsequent transfers are provided in the available sources.
Portrait of an Officer, painted by Pierre Charles Cior in 1813, is an ivory miniature portrait classified as a painting within the genre of portraiture. The work belongs to the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where it is housed in the museum's designated storage area and is accessible to researchers by appointment. Its provenance records indicate that the piece has remained in the museum's custody since acquisition, and it has been included in several exhibitions of the museum's decorative arts and European paintings wings, most recently featured in the 2019 exhibition of early 19th‑century miniatures.
The painting's material composition of ivory and its depiction of a military officer align with the stylistic trends of the period.
Overview
Pierre Charles Cior's Portrait of an Officer, created in 1813, is a miniature painting executed on ivory. It depicts a military figure and is part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection. Cior was a French artist recognized for his historical works, larger portraits, and particularly for his detailed miniatures. This piece exemplifies his skill in capturing individual likenesses within a small format.
Technique & Style
Executed on ivory, this portrait showcases the delicate technique required for miniature painting. Cior, a specialist in this art form, utilized the smooth, luminous surface of the ivory to achieve fine detail and subtle gradations in tone. The precision in rendering the officer's features and attire reflects the meticulous craftsmanship characteristic of the genre during the early 19th century.
Context
Pierre Charles Cior, a French painter, developed his artistic skills studying under Bauzin. His career encompassed a range of subjects, though he became particularly noted for his miniature portraits. His talent was recognized at a high level, leading to his appointment as a miniature painter for the king of Spain, a prestigious position that highlights his reputation and expertise in the field.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pierre Charles Cior (1769 – after 1838), a French painter of historical subjects, portraits, and miniatures, was born in Paris. He was a pupil of Bauzin, and became miniature painter to the king of Spain. He died in 1838.
