Born in Perpignan, Rigaud began his artistic career in the south of France. Soon after his arrival in Paris in 1681, he became the favorite portraitist of the Parisian bourgeoisie. His career took a different turn in 1688 when he received his first royal commission, a portrait of Monsieur, the king's brother. From this point forward Rigaud became almost exclusively a court painter, known for having created an extravagant baroque version of the French state portrait.

In addition to formal court portraits, Rigaud continued to produce others of a much more intimate and naturalistic type, including this sympathetic and closely observed portrait of an unidentified aristocrat.