The Blue Muff

Jean Baptiste Massé was a native of Paris and a leading French miniaturist of the first half of the 18th century. In 1720, Massé was elected a full member of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. He received extensive royal patronage and was created Painter to the King (Louis XV) in 1740. He was elected a Councillor of the Academy during that same year. In addition to his notoriety as a miniaturist, Massé was known as a portrait artist and engraver.