The catalogue traces the mostly uncharted, itinerant life of Nicolas Lavreince (1737–1807). Born in Stockholm, Lavreince arrived in Paris around 1760 to hone his skills in the art of miniature painting. Back in Sweden, he worked at the royal court as a portrait painter , but eventually decided to return to France where he became the first gouache painter of his time. The catalogue’s essay insists on the contradictory nature of the artist, who often painted sensual scenes, but lived a rather austere life. Even though Lavreince never exhibited at the Salons and was ignored by Diderot, his work was well-received by the public, and his paintings were often engraved or copied. Indeed, Lavreince was amongst the most successful artists of his time.