"Geography lesson", this high qualitative portrait miniature was executed by good listed French miniature painter Pierre Charles Cior (1769 Paris - around 1840 ). Pupil of Juan Bauzil, Cior portrayed in his numerous miniatures (mainly on ivory) a large number of personalities of the European nobilities at time. He worked at the Russian and Spanish courts and held the title of Spanish court miniaturist. While the portraits created in the first and last years of his activity. generally rated as mediocre because of their uniformity and rigidity, C. achieved greater vitality in the years after 1805 through loose brushwork and erased backgrounds. Many miniatures are in private collections. In addition, C. left some religious paintings (e.g. for the monastery de la Visitation in Paris).

WORKS: BORDEAUX, MAD. ROUEN, MBA. WINCHESTER, Rifle Brigade Mus.

EXHIBITIONS G: 1796, 1831, ´38 Paris, Salon.

BIBLIOGRAPHY ThIeme/Becker, V.7, 1912. Bellier/Auvray I, 1882; Schidlof I, 1964; Bénézit III, 1976. – Lemberger, 1911; "Les Peintres et Miniature actifs en France 1650-1850" by Nathalie Lemoine-Bouchard, 2008.

Inscriptions: signed left on the edge of miniature: Cior p. (pinxit).

Technique: gouache on ivory, convex glass, original early 19th century wood frame with inner round gilt matt.

Measurements: unframed diameter 3" (7,5 cm), framed w 5 3/8" x h 5 3/8" (13,5 x 13,5 cm).

Condition: in very good condition.