Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer, born 1634, was the most acclaimed French still life painter of the 17th century. Following his artistic training, which is thought to have taken place in Flanders, he moved to Paris at age 19. In Paris, Monnoyer was engaged in the decoration of various town palaces before joining the artistic circle of Charles Le Brun, who was responsible for the decoration of the royal palaces. Through this, Monnoyer found work in Vincennes, Saint-Cloud, Versailles, and Marly. After painting some narrative works during his early phase, Monnoyer soon specialized in still lifes with a penchant for elegant flower arrangements enlivened by valuable vases, draperies, and architectural elements....