Jesse Robertson Seigneur or lord of La Tour soberly looks out at the viewer with the grace dignity and reserve worthy of an aristocrat. The unknown artist sensitively represented the sitter’s lifelike face and lacy collar and the shiny metal studs decorating his costume but the remainder of the clothing appears more as a rich elegant pattern than fully finished garments.

French gentleman such as Jesse Robertson widely patronized artists in the late 1500s especially commissioning portraits both painted and drawn and often in this three-quarter-view format.