Jean Dollfus (September 25, 1800 – 21 May 1887) was a French industrialist who grew a textile company, Dollfus-Mieg et Compagnie (D.M.C.

This was a new technique of chemically treating cotton to increase not only its strength but also its appearance,[1] a discovery that he would apply to the textile business.

[2] In 1852 the Societe Industrielle de Mulhouse began construction on cités ouvrières, or worker's towns.

[3] The development was so novel and admirable that Napoleon III made 30,000 francs available to assist the project[4] and Dollfus became the Mayor of Mulhouse from 1863 to 1869.

The painting was completed by 1876 and was not a true copy, as Renoir had adapted the colours and brush work to an impressionist style.

[5] In 1884 Dollfus signed an agreement with Thérèse de Dillmont, a textile teacher and writer.