Physionothrace Portrait Naval Officer Period XVIII Revolutionary

Miniature in tondo format representing a naval officer in strict profile in his finely chiseled gilded brass frame. A purple bow accompanies the miniature on the suspension ring. Ancestor of business cards, the physionotrace was invented by Gilles-Louis Chretien in 1785. The use of the pantograph made it possible to mechanize the drawing for a more faithful rendering of the portrait. The miniature represents an orderly or naval agent whose blue uniform with a high and crimson turned-down collar had been defined by the decree of 3 Brumaire Year IV (October 25, 1795). Supposed to bear the inscription "Administration de la marine", the yellow buttons of the uniform are stamped with an anchor. Source: National Convention - decree pronounced on October 25, 1795, BnF, p. 6-7.