Exhibited: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, “Exposition de Portraits Francais de Largillierre à Manet”, 1960 no. 45.

Literature: Gorm Rosencrone von Benzon, “Kunstschätze in Dänemark p. 140 (in German). Art treasures in Denmark p. 107–108 (in English). Kunstskatte i Danmark p. 170 (in Danish), 1966. The book has a poetic description of the portrayed person: “This young gentleman looks like a sanctified deity, whom it suited to dwell in the world of mortals. His soft, purple velour cape is only dimly lit, but the glitter of the golden brocade hints at more riches. His jabot and face are both fully illuminated. The wig's grey curls nestle around his cheeks with their friendly dimples. His eyes are dreamy, his mouth enjoying." (Plate 49).

Provenance: Private Danish collection.

Jacques-Antoine Arlaud was born in Geneva and came from a family of watchmakers from Auvergne. He started his career painting ornamental miniatures for the goldsmiths in Dijon. At the age of twenty, he settled in Paris and became a miniature painter, among others for the Duke of Orleans, who became his patron, and he was also taught by Arlaud. Later de Troy spent some time in England, where he was introduced to the Princess of Wales, who later became Queen Caroline. He returned to Paris and later to Geneva, where he died in 1743 .