English: This portrait almost certainly portrays Nicholas Thérèse Benôit Frochot, Prefect of the Seine Department and Paris (b. Dijon 1761, d. 1828, buried in Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris). As Councillor of State, he was a favourite of Napoleon who maintained him as senior Prefect of the Empire. When Napoleon was on campaign in Russia, Frochot was, in effect, his deputy. In 1812, General Mallet attempted a coup d'état claiming that Napoleon had been killed or captured in Russia. Frochot believed him and allowed Mallet to take over powers of the Prefecture. He was dismissed by the Emperor on his return but rehabilitated with another Prefecture in 1815.
In this portrait, he wears the order of the Iron Cross. He writes a letter which he starts 'Altesse Imperiale', his arm resting on books by his friend and protégé, Mirabeau. The portrait bust is almost certainly Eugene de Beauharnais, Viceroy of Italy, who was Napoleon's stepson. The sitter is probably addressing the letter to him. A letter addressed to Frochot is seen under the inkwell.