Jean Carolus was born in Belgium. He was a pupil of François Joseph Navez, the Director of the Academy of Fine Art in Brussels. Carolus spent much of his life living and working in France. His reputation is based on his depictions of figures set in interior scenes; indeed he is renowned for the jewel-like quality and high degree of finish which he achieves in these works. He combines the grace and elegance of his figures with strong use of colour. One of his most famous works entitled 'A Game of Billiards under Louis XV' can be seen in the Museum in Ypres.