Pancrace Bessa

A pupil of the engraver Gerard van Spaendonck, Pancrace Bessa was one of the leading painters of flowers and fruit in the first half of the 19th century in France. Bessa also studied with the highly esteemed flower painter, Pierre-Joseph Redouté and probably accompanied him to Egypt as part of Napoleon's expedition in 1798.

Bessa enjoyed a rich and strong patronage throughout his career. He was appointed flower painter and drawing master to the Duchesse de Berri in 1820 and also worked for the Empress Joséphine.

See also the following lot.