Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer (often referred to as ‘Baptist’ or ‘Old Baptist’) was the most influential flower painter of his generation, specializing in decorative compositions including elaborate vases. Born in Lille, in 1650 he was working on the interiors at the Hôtel Lambert, where he came to the attention of Charles Le Brun, the most powerful artist-impresario of the age. Through his influence, Monnoyer supplied designs at the Royal tapestry manufactories at Gobelins and Beauvais and paintings for major royal decorative schemes at Marly and Meudon. In 1685 Monnoyer was invited to England by the English Ambassador to France, 1st Duke of Montagu, to work on the decoration of Montagu House in London. He spent the rest of his life in England, also working for Queen Mary and Queen Anne at Kensington Palace. His son Antoine Monnoyer 1670-1747 (‘young Baptist’) continued to produce flower paintings in the same style. The Monnoyers were much imitated in France and England, which means that ‘Baptist’ is a name applied to any overdoor from the Baroque period with a flower in it. There were twenty one works by ‘Monsieur Baptist’ amongst the Consul Smith Collection acquired by George III in 1762 (Italian List nos 185-205) and numerous works attributed to ‘old Baptist’ and ‘young Baptist’ in other inventories. Of these twenty remain in the Royal Collection.

This is one of two flower paintings of matching sizes (RCIN 403247 & 403252) which seem to have been acquired by Queen Victoria. Their very different compositions do not suggest that they were created as a pair: this is a classic carved relief encircled in a wreath of flowers, the other an ornamental vase of flowers. A low relief vase depicting running figures is placed right of centre and holds a large, loose arrangement of flowers, including lilies, chrysanthemums and stocks; a gold cloth is draped in the upper right corner. A grisaille bas-relief of a Greek goddess arranging garlands with three putti, resting on a ledge, the whole surrounded by an oval floral garland of various flowers including narcissi, chrysanthemums, and tulips.