Miniature on ivory of a Sub-Prefect

Circa 1810

Artist Unknown

Oil on ivory

90mm

Miniature on ivory of a sous préfet (sub-prefect) wearing his blue habit uniform with embroidered collar and front detailing in silver wire.

The French prefectoral corps was created in 1800 by Napoleon, and he endowed it with great prestige and influence. At that time the prefects and sub-prefects were the administrators of the departments; they were responsible for public order and good government and for ensuring that the policy of the central government was effectively carried out throughout the country. Napoleon called them empereurs au petit pied (“miniature” or “small-scale emperors”).