Print c. 18th century

This print was made by Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer in the late 17th century, a time when art was deeply intertwined with social status and royal patronage. Monnoyer, who became known as ‘Baptiste le Fleur’, was famed for his floral paintings which adorned the homes of Europe’s elite, including Versailles. This print depicts a bouquet, carefully arranged with a ribbon. It includes a ‘Geraflée Jaune’ or gillyflower, 'oeillet d'inde,' or marigold and a 'Renoncule' or ranunculus. Floral representations in art served as more than mere decoration. They were a reflection of power and wealth. Exotic flowers, like those depicted here, symbolized global trade and colonial exploitation. Monnoyer’s work also operated within the gendered sphere of art. Flower painting was often seen as a lesser genre, aligned with femininity and domesticity, yet it provided opportunities for artists to gain recognition and income. This print invites us to consider the complex intersections of art, nature, gender, and power in the 17th century.