The portrait of Ivan Ivanovich Shuvalov was painted by the artist shortly before his departure to Paris. Shuvalov came from a poor and ignoble noble family. Becoming the favorite of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, he occupied a prominent position at the court. Having an enormous fortune, he was a real Privy Councilor, Chief Chamberlain, and Levant-General, he contributed to the development of science and art in Russia.
The founder and first curator of Moscow University, the first president of the Imperial Academy of Arts, founded on his project, patron of arts, Shuvalov was a friend and patron of M. V. Lomonosov. From 1763 to 1777 he traveled in Western Europe. He was acquainted with D. Diderot, F. Voltaire. Depicted with the orders of the White Eagle and of sv. Anne.