Oil on canvas, in a carved and gilded frame, 74cm by 61cm.
The painting is recorded by Brownlow, 9th Earl of Exeter (1725-1793), in the 1763 Burghley Inventory: ‘Queen Elizabeths room… four flower pieces by Baptest.’
The Franco-Flemish artist specialised in still life painting, particularly of fruit and flowers, and for some time was associated with both the Gobelins and Beauvais tapestry workshops, where he produced cartoons for the weavers.
He spent the last nine years of his life in England, commissioned by Ralph, Duke of Montagu to paint overdoors and overmantels at his London home.
The Duke was a cousin of John, 5th Earl of Exeter (1648-1700).
