JEAN BAPTISTE MONNOYER (1636 / 1699) "Still life of

Initially a follower of Davidsz de Heem, he devoted himself to painting flowers and fruit, with which he achieved enormous success. Around 1655 he went to Paris and worked at the Hôtel Lambert and the Hôtel Lauzun. Lebrun commissioned him to decorate numerous royal palaces. As a result of his great success he was appointed an academician in 1663. In London he decorated Montagu House and the Royal Palace of Kensington for Queen Mary II and Queen Anne. He was as successful as in Paris and lived in England for the first twenty years of his life. He collaborated with the Gobelins factory in making cartoons for tapestries and with other painters in producing still-life elements for large decorative works. His Flemish training is evident in this excellent composition, both in the finesse of execution and in the brilliant colouring and enamelling. As for the decorative sense, he seems to have been influenced by the Italian models that were so widespread throughout Europe. Still-life and flower painting was the most successful at court, where Lebrun set the tone. Monnoyer arranged the composition in a theatrical and lavish manner, arranging the flowers, fruits, antique vases and precious objects asymmetrically, as if carelessly. The qualities and colours stand out against a neutral background and draperies in wisely matched tones. On a base are arranged flowers and fruits in bright colours that rival the oriental fabrics, an exotic bird, a monkey and rich pieces of goldsmith's ware. Monnoyer's skill in the treatment of nature is exceptional and is enhanced by his mastery in the choice of the elements depicted and their arrangement in space. Provenance: Christie's London sale, 26 Nov 1976, lot 16 Private collection . Oil on canvas.190 x 158 cm.