The Swedish ambassador Carl Gustaf Tessin sits in his library in a dressing gown, surrounded by his collections. In his hands, he holds an engraving by Marc-Antonio Raimondi of Raphael’s fresco The Triumph of Galatea. The arrows fired by the cupids in the engraving seem to be aimed at Tessin’s heart – perhaps an expression of his love for the great master of art. The portrait was intended as a gift to his friend, the architect Carl Hårleman.