How did Claude Lorrain work with patrons who commissioned paintings?

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Claude Lorrain: Ulysses Returns Chryseis to Her Father — Claude Lorrain *Ulysses Returns Chryseis to Her Father*, oil on canvas by Claude Lorrain, c. 1644; in the Louvre, Paris. 119 × 150 cm.

Claude Lorrain was a fastidious and expensive artist who worked exclusively on commission. While he initially utilized agents to sell his paintings, he later transitioned to negotiating directly with his patrons. During these negotiations, he would reach specific agreements regarding the size, price, and subject matter of the commissioned work.1

To manage his professional output and protect his reputation, Claude compiled the Liber Veritatis ("Book of Truth"), a volume containing 195 drawings that served as a record of his paintings. On the backs of these drawings, he noted the identity of the patron or the intended destination for each piece, which helped him safeguard against the forgery of his work. His clientele was predominantly international and aristocratic, consisting largely of French and Italian noblemen.1