Hörling arrived in Paris in 1740 to train as a history painter in the studio of Carle Vanloo. Through Tessin’s good offices he came into contact with his compatriot Gustaf Lundberg and became his assistant. In this portrait of Kristian Joakim Klingspor we see clear traces of his teacher’s technique. It is a powerful, virtuoso work with individual facial features, great physical presence and feeling for materials. Around 1750 Hörling became mentally ill.