(Lille 1636–1699 London) and (Lille 1671–1747 Saint Germain-en-Laye)
A floral still life with poppies, carnations, knotgrass and other flowers,
oil on canvas, 65.4 x 94 cm, framed

A comprehensive certificate by Claudia Salvi is available.

This still life is one of the rare cases of collaboration between father and son. Antoine Monnoyer travelled to England several times in the company of his father, where he became one of the most successful still life painters of his time; his works embellished the interiors of many London town houses during the artist’s lifetime. Documents prove journeys undertaken to Italy and Sweden (for the decoration of the Royal Palace in Stockholm). Monnoyer further developed the type of sumptuous still life that his father first established in Versailles. Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer studied history painting in Antwerp and moved to Paris around 1650, where he collaborated with Charles Le Brun on the decoration of several royal palaces. After being admitted to the Academy in 1665, he exhibited four floral still lifes in the Salon in 1673 and soon established himself as a master in this genre. He developed a magnificent Baroque style that displays analogies with contemporary Italian still life painting. His works were especially praised for their true to life quality, although Monnoyer did not actually paint from real life, but rather executed his paintings on the basis of drawings and studies. Louis XIV owned well over 60 drawings and just as many paintings executed by him. It is no exaggeration to call him the Sun King’s favourite floral painter and perhaps the most influential artist in this genre during the Grand Siècle.