Jacques Antoine Arlaud was a miniaturist from Switzerland. After having started to study theology, he then decided to study art. He initially painted ornamental and portrait miniatures, which he sold to jewellers in Geneva and Dijon. From 1688, he lived in Paris. There he was friends with the court artists Nicolas de Largillière and Hyacinthe Rigaud and thus came into contact with noble patrons. One of his patrons was Philippe, Duc d'Orléans, to whom he also gave painting lessons. Garlaud also worked as an art agent for the duke. As a result of the duke's mother's recommendation, Garlaud received commissions from the English court and travelled to London in 1721, where he painted portraits of several members of the royal court and became friends with Isaac Newton. In 1729, Garlaud returned, probably for health reasons, first to Paris, then to Geneva. In addition to portraits, Garlaud also painted miniatures with religious and mythological subjects.