In 1753 Charlier was appointed Peintre en miniature du Roi: little is known of his early career but, as he made many miniature copies after Boucher, it has been assumed that he studied under him. His patrons included the King, Madame du Pompadour, the Comte de Caylus, the Duc d'Aumont, the Prince de Conti and the Duc d'Orleans. He also received many commissions for the Menus Plaisirs