Jean Petitot the Younger (1653-1702) was the eldest son of the enamellist Jean Petitot (1607-1691) and his wife, Marguerite Cuper. Petitot learnt his trade from his father, and early in his career settled in London, where he remained until 1682, painting portraits of Charles II. He returned to Paris again until 1695, when he came back to London, remaining there until his death.
There is a slightly later self-portrait of the artist, dating from 1679, later set into the lid of a crystal comfit box, in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum (inv. no. P.52-1941) and another formerly in the Pierpont Morgan collection (see G. C. Williamson, Catalogue of the Collection of Miniatures, the Property of J. Pierpont Morgan, London, 1906, III, p. 69, no. 435, illustrated pl. CXLI, no. 2), sold Christie's, London, 24 June 1935, lot 214 (28 gns. to S. J. Phillips). A further self-portrait of 1685, from the Dartrey Collection, is mentioned by Clouzot (supra).