This painting shows the artist’s father, Hubert Drouais, in his studio. In the background is an easel with a portrait he has just started on. Drouais senior is about to draw a chalk study on the paper he holds on his lap. His gaze meets the viewer’s, as if we were his subject. Drouais is dressed in a shimmering velvet coat and seated comfortably in an armchair, a reminder that he was a leading portraitist.