François Cacault

François Cacault (1742, Nantes – 10 October 1805,[1] Clisson) was a French diplomat of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic periods.

François's father was a master artist in faience, road engineer and designer of a 1775 map of Nantes which served as the basis for plans to embellish the town.

François began his career by training at the Ecole militaire in Paris, where he was made professor of fortifications in 1764 and inspector of studies in 1766.

After the 18 brumaire coup d'état, Cacault rallied to Napoleon and on 4 nivôse year VIII (25 December 1799) entered the Corps législatif as député for Loire-Inférieure.

Conditions were highly favourable for this collection's formation, and Cacault was probably advised by the painter-collector Jean-Baptiste Wicar.