Jan van Huysum was born into a family of painters and accordingly received his initial training from his father, Justus van Huysum the Elder (1659 – 1716). Jan specialised in fruit and flower motifs which won acclaim from collectors and critics alike, far beyond the borders of the Netherlands.

His pictures were characterised by a draughtsmanship, which was a fitting means of expression for his meticulous observation of nature. Letters relate that Huysum painted directly from nature. But the numerous drawings in existence also document a preparatory process for the paintings with individual studies. His pictures are technically brilliant and therefore mostly in very good condition. Huysum’s working methods were a well guarded secret. He accepted no students apart from Margaretha Haverman, who had to leave his studio after a short period. His style and his sense of colouring were exemplary within his chosen genre far into the 19th century.