JOHN, a curious painter in enamel, who was born at Geneva in 1627, reached a great degree of perfection in the art. He was wonderfully patient in finishing his works, but he had the address to conceal his labour. He only painted the heads and hands of the figures: the hair, grounds, and drapery, being executed by Bordier his brother-in-law. These two artists had the credit of associating and labouring together for fifty years, without the least misunderstanding between them. It is asserted by an ingenious French writer, that Petitot and Bordier derived the knowledge of the most curious and durable colours proper for enamelling, from Sir Theodore Mayerne at London, who recommended Petitot to Charles I. He had the honour to paint the portraits of that monarch and the whole royal family, and continued in England until Charles's unhappy end; he then went to Paris, where he was highly favoured by Louis XIV. and acquired an ample fortune. Being a Protestant, the revocation of the edict of Nantes obliged to retire to Geneva; but settling soon after at Vevey in the canton of Bern, he passed the remainder of his life in ease and affluence. He died in 1691.
Petitot may be called the inventor of painting portraits in enamel. Though his friend Bordier made several attempts before him, and Sir Theodore Mayerne had facilitated the means of employing the most beautiful colours; yet Petitot completed the works, which under his hand acquired a softness and liveliness of colouring that will never change, and will ever render his works valuable. He made use of gold and silver plates, and seldom enamelled on copper. When he first came in vogue, his price was 20 louis's head, which he soon raised to 40. It was his custom to take a painter with him, who painted the picture in oil; after which Petitot sketched out his work, which he always finished after the life. When he painted the king of France, he took those pictures for his copies that most resembled him; and the king afterwards gave him a fitting or two to finish his works.
PEIVIER, JAMES, a celebrated English botanist, was contemporary with Plukenet; but we are wholly unacquainted with the precise time of his birth. He was by profession an apothecary, having served an apprenticeship under Mr Feltham, apothecary to Bartholomew's hospital. He settled in Aldersgate-street when he commenced business on his own account, where he continued during the whole of his life. His business was extensive; and he was afterwards chosen apothecary to the Charter-house. Excepting Sir Hans Sloane, and Mr Courten, he was the only person after the Tradescants, who made any important collections in natural history, previous to those of the present day. He employed the captains and surgeons of different ships to bring him home specimens; and by means of printed directions he enabled them to select proper objects. In this manner his collection soon became so valuable, that he was offered 4000l. for it by Sir Hans Sloane, some time prior to his decease; but, after he died, it was purchased by that naturalist. His fame was extended both at home and abroad by his valuable museum. He was chosen a fellow of the Royal Society; and having become acquainted with Ray, he assisted him in arranging the second volume of his History of Plants. He died on the 20th of April, 1718; and his funeral was honoured by the attendance of Sir Hans Sloane, and other eminent men, as pall-bearers.
He published several works, on different subjects of natural history, such as Musci Petivariani Centuriae decem, 1692—1703, 8vo: Garophylocii Nature et Artis, Decades decem, folio, 1702, with 100 plates: A catalogue of Mr Ray's English Herbal, illustrated with figures, folio, 1713, and continued in 1715: Many small publications, which may be found enumerated in Dr Pultney's book: Many papers in the Philosophical Transactions; and a material article in the third volume of Ray's work, entitled, 'Plantæ Rariores Chinenfes, Madras.' PETRIVERIA, a genus of plants belonging to the hexandria clas, and in the natural method ranking under the 12th order, Holaceae. See Botany Index.