Portrait of an Officer

Art Historical Context

Nestled among the treasures of the Metropolitan Museum of's European Paintings department, *Portrait of an Officer* a delicate ivory miniature by Charles Pierre Cior, just 3 inches in diameter. This intimate work, gifted in 1925 by Mrs. Louis V. Bell in memory her husband, captures the likeness of a male figure—likely a military officer—evoking the era's fascination with personal portraiture. Miniatures like this were prized heirlooms, often worn as pendants or brooches, blending artistry with portability. Crafted on ivory, a favored medium for miniatures from the 17th to 19th centuries, the ...