Thorvaldsen was a member of a number of art academies. In 1808 he became a member of Accademia di San Luca, the Roman academy of art. The name San Luca comes from the apostle Luke, who according to tradition painted the Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus. Thorvaldsen wore this coat at academy meetings. Here shown with three of the many decorations he received: the French Grand-Cross of the Legion of Honour, the Italian Ordine del Moretto and the Russian Order of St. Vladimir. The rapier and the hat were part of the uniform.