Peter I is wearing gilt armour and the ribbon of St Andrew. This may be a portrait from life, but Peter the Great is not recorded as being in Geneva in 1714. He was the son of Tsar Alexius Mikhailovich and was Tsar of Russia from the age of 10. Peter I devoted himself largely to the reorganisation of his army and navy. He spent some months at Deptford, London, where he stayed at the home of the diarist, John Evelyn, in 1698, studying shipbuilding. He founded St Petersburg (1703) and married Catherine Skavronskaya in 1712. After he died, Catherine became Empress of Russia (1725-27). Jean V Mussard (1681-1754) was a miniature and enamel painter who was born and died in Geneva. Signed and dated on the reverse in black paint: * Jean* / Mussard pinxit / Genevensis / 1714.