Uncommon Disderi CDV of the French Painter Leon Cogniet (1794-1880) standing with hand on a table with books. Born in Paris, he attended the École des Beaux-Arts studying with Pierre-Narcisse Guérin, Delacroix and Géricault. Considered one of the Neoclassical and Romantic painters of his time, his subjects include historical events, landscapes and portraits. He won the Prix de Rome in 1817 and spent the years 1817 through 1822 at the Villa Medici in Rome. He received the highest titles bestowed on artists of the day including Academician, Legion of Honor and finally professor at the École des Beaux-Arts where he remained until he left in protest of the reorganized curriculum and administration in 1863. He established schools for both men and women as well as served as drawing instructor at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand from 1831 to 1876 where he had Edgar Degas as a student. Additionally, he taught for 16 years at the École Polytechnique which gave him access to the technology of the age including photography which played influence on his later works.



The CDV is signed in pencil on the verso, "Leon Cogniet, Peintre." A clear example of Cogniet's signature can be found on a letter at the web site ARC (Art Renewal Center) under the artist's name.



André Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri estiablished his first studio in Paris at 8 Boulevart des Italiens, Paris which he maintained until his move to Nice in 1879. Often mistakenly called the inventor of the carte-de-visite photographic portrait, he did hold the 1854 patent for its introduction. He exhibited extensively in the salons, worked on early improvements for the collodion process, and published many articles and books. His wife, Genevieve-Elisabeth Disderi, was a participant in many of his early studio ventures and was a respected photographer as well.

Leon Cogniet

COGNIET Léon 1794-1880