A pupil of the famous still life painter Jan Davidsz de Heem, François Habert was active in Paris from about 1643-1652, though little is known about his life, including whether he was French or Flemish. As Eric Coatalem notes, the prices listed for his paintings in 18th century inventories indicate that he was an important and successful artist.¹ Both Dutch and Flemish influences are evident in this grand and complex composition, which he has proudly signed at right.  Habert's paintings, of which only a handful are known today, range from smaller and more simple still lifes to large-scale, grand tablescapes with ornate fabrics, food, and objects such as the present painting.

1. E. Coatalem, La nature morte française au XVIIe siècle, Dijon 2014, p. 184.