Baron de Besenval was commander-in-chief of France's Swiss Guards at the outset of the French Revolution (during which he was briefly imprisoned). The work is a fine example of the draughtsmanship and harmonious colour for which the artist Danloux was renowned.

　Also a well-known art collector, this portrait shows Besanval, having retired from military service, surrounded by his paintings and a selection of Rococo objects (by then rather unfashionable). The sitter's refined taste is matched by Danloux's technique and attention to detail. The painting of different fabrics and materials is done with consummate skill. Identifiable among the pictures shown on the wall behind Besenval are works by the Dutch painters Poelenburg, Van de Velde, Teniers, Pynacker and Cuyp. This portrait was painted when the sitter's world had been turned upside down, but nothing of this is betrayed by his relaxed pose and genial smile.

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背景：巴森沃男爵曾是法国的瑞士卫队总司令，也是著名的艺术收藏家，法国大革命爆发后，被短暂囚禁，随即从军队离职。

赏析：房间里置放着已过时的洛可可风格的装饰物，墙壁上挂着17-18世纪的荷兰画家们创作的油画。爵士退出政治舞台，生活发生了翻天覆地的变化，但他仍保持了放松的姿态，露出微笑。