Although Marguerite Gérard, Fragonard’s talented sister-in-law, was a prolific portraitist as well as an admired genre painter, the present painting is of unusual format for the artist. Gérard specialized in very small-scale, full-length portraits on postcard-sized wooden panels, whereas this beautiful painting of a handsome and dashing young man seated at his desk, who turns away from writing a note, is comparatively large and of half-length format. Judging from the sitter’s clothing and hairstyle, the painting must date from around 1795-1800. Although it does not appear in the literature on the artist, the portrait is clearly signed 'Mlle Gerard' at the bottom center (on the desk) – a signature which appears in identical form on many of her small portraits – and its refined and luminous handling is characteristic of Gérard’s finest works.