The French Revolution briefly destroyed the market in France for art and luxury objects. Portraiture, however, flourished as citizens sought to assert their new position in a changed social order. Sablet, a landscape painter by vocation, adapted to painting portraits imbued with the new patriotic and republican spirit. This portrait, which is thought to be of Daniel Kervégan, a popular mayor of Nantes, emphasises the revolutionary virtues of humble service and natural simplicity through details of dress. Kervégan is shown wigless and staring directly at the viewer, the only clues of his office are a tricolore mayoral sash at his elbow and a round box, perhaps containing a badge or cockade.
Unknown private collection, before 2002 by whom consigned to sale, Sotheby's New York, 24 January 2002, no. 78 from where purchased by Matthiesen Fine Art (dealer), London with Matthiesen Fine Art, 2002-10 from where purchased for the NGV, 2010.