[2] It was commissioned by Talleyrand shortly after he had resigned as French Foreign Minister following a disagreement with the emperor Napoleon over policy towards France's European rivals, particularly Russia.

It was one of six full-length portraits that the artist exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1808, adding fresh momentum to his career as a portraitist.

[4] Despite its elegance Talleyrand is shown informally, depicted not as a public official but as a private nobleman.

He wears the Legion of Honour presented to him by Napoleon while the Order of the Golden Fleece, which was presented to him by Ferdinand VII of Spain at the Congress of Vienna, was likely added by Gérard seven or so years after the painting was originally completed.

[5] A noted engraving was maid of the portrait by Auguste Gaspard Louis Desnoyers.