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One of a set of four sumptuous flower pieces ordered from this specialist by Ralph, 1st Duke of Montagu; two retain their original matching frames. The 1st Duke had brought, Baptiste, a Huguenot, from France in 1678. Over thirty such paintings were commissioned for Montagu House. The fashion for Baptiste's work spread to other great houses, Burghley, Stourhead and Dyrham. Dézallier d'Argenville, Abrégé de la vie des plus fameux peintres, iv, Paris, 1712, wrote 'His reputation has spread throughout Europe, and this led to his being chosen by Milord Montagu to journey to England in order to embellish the grand salon, staircase and living quarters of his home with floral and fruit decoration. I have seen this work for myself and it is indeed worthy of Baptiste Monnoyer, who it can be said to have surpassed even himself...'

The frame is of a bolection section with husk and flower and leaf back moulding and acanthus leaf, flower and strapwork ornament at centres and corners. The background to the centre and corner ornaments is sanded to give greater relief to the carving and to contrast with the uncarved burnished panels. Carved in pine and later gilded, this frame has been partly regilded.

PROVENANCE Ralph, 1st Duke of Montagu, thence by descent.