A formal 1817 engraving by Ambroise Tardieu depicting the French politician Casimir-Pierre Périer.

This engraving by Ambroise Tardieu depicts Casimir-Pierre Périer, a French politician and banker who served as a deputy for the Seine department. The work dates to 1817, the year of his election to the Chamber of Deputies. Tardieu, a skilled cartographer and engraver, employs a precise, formal technique typical of early nineteenth-century portraiture. The subject is presented within an oval frame, a common convention for individual portrait prints of the era, which directs the viewer's focus to the sitter's facial features and expression.

The composition is restrained and balanced. Périer is shown in a three-quarter view, wearing the high-collared coat and cravat characteristic of the period's masculine fashion. The shading is achieved through fine, parallel lines and cross-hatching, demonstrating the technical control required in the medium of copperplate engraving. The text below the portrait identifies the sitter and his political status, reflecting the function of such prints as visual records of public figures. The clean, white margins and the clarity of the line work suggest a high level of craftsmanship, intended for distribution among the political and social circles of Restoration-era France.

Ambroise Tardieu was known for his contributions to scientific and historical publications, and his ability to render human likenesses with accuracy is evident here. The portrait avoids unnecessary ornamentation, maintaining a sober aesthetic that aligns with the professional identity of the subject. This print provides a clear visual document of a figure who occupied a specific position in the political hierarchy of the time. It is a representative example of the portrait engraving tradition, where the focus remains on the clarity of the image and the accurate representation of the individual.