As a promising French history painter, Gauffier had settled in Italy, first in Rome and from 1793 in Florence. He was eventually forced to abandon the prestigious genre of history painting to earn a living as a portrait painter and by selling landscapes to travellers on their Grand Tour. In Florence he portrayed two Swedish diplomats living in the city – this is Johan Claes Lagersvärd, seated in front of a view of the Dome. Gauffier’s portraits, like his history paintings, are characterised by distinct lines and cool colours in accordance with prevailing classicist ideals.