The present drawing is a view of one of the many houses in which Rousseau lived while in exile in Switzerland. When Emile ou de l'Education was published in 1762, the parliament banned it, and forced Rousseau to leave France. He first went to Geneva, his native city, then to Berne. He was later welcomed by the Maréchal George Keith at Môtiers-Travers.
The scene depicted is directly connected with Emile. In the first part of the book, Rousseau explains how young Emile, who usually loathe to engage in sports, is nonetheless spurred on by a competitive streak to participate in races organized by Rousseau with biscuits as prizes. Emile trains and finally wins akk the races, sharing the prizes with the other children.
The Tableau de la Suisse was published only two years after the death of Rousseau in 1778.
A copy of the drawing by Bachelin is in the Musée Neuchâtelois, Comte de Girardin, Iconographie de Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Paris, 1908, no. 1070.