Riguad was in such high demand as a portraitist to the court and to the Parisian bourgeoisie that he frequently employed assistants to complete commissioned work. In addition to the formal court portraits for which he is best known, Riguad, his studio, and his emulators also produced others of a much more intimate and naturalistic type, including this sympathetic and closely observed portrait of an unidentified gentleman. Bust-length portraits of this size were popular home decorations. This type-- with the open vest, undone collar, and voluminous velvet garment covering the sitter's hands-- was a staple of Rigaud's and his circle's production in the early decades of the eighteenth century.

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