Portrait of Casimir-Pierre Perier - Auguste Toussaint Lecler

A 1823 lithographic portrait of the French politician Casimir-Pierre Perier by Auguste Toussaint Lecler, capturing the subject in formal attire.

This lithograph by Auguste Toussaint Lecler depicts the French banker and politician Casimir-Pierre Perier. Produced in 1823, the work captures the subject in a formal bust-length pose, reflecting the conventions of early nineteenth-century portraiture. Lecler employs the lithographic medium to achieve a soft, tonal quality, particularly in the rendering of the subject's features and the subtle shading around the collar and lapels.

Perier is shown wearing a high-collared coat with decorative embroidery, a style consistent with the formal attire of the period. His gaze is directed towards the viewer, conveying a sense of composure and authority. The artist uses fine, hatched lines to define the contours of the face and the texture of the hair, while the background remains largely unadorned to focus attention on the sitter. The print includes the name of the subject inscribed below the image, a common practice for portrait prints intended for circulation or documentation during this era.

As a lithograph, this piece demonstrates the technical capabilities of the medium during its early adoption in France. Lecler, known for his work in this field, manages to balance the precision of line work with the atmospheric potential of lithographic stone. The composition is balanced and restrained, adhering to the aesthetic principles of the time. This print serves as a historical record of a figure who occupied a position of influence in French society, providing a visual account of his appearance and status. The work is a clear example of the portraiture style that flourished in the early 1800s, where the focus remained on the individual's character and social standing through careful, measured representation.