Roses, peonies, daisies and other flowers in a sculpted vase resting on an antique frieze

Pieter Casteels was born in Antwerp where he studied painting with his father before emigrating to London in 1708 with his brother-in-law, Pieter Tillemans, a painter of country house views and sporting scenes. Although Casteels briefly returned to Antwerp in 1713 to become a Master, his main practice was in London where he specialised in paintings of birds and still lifes of flowers. Casteels was made Director of the Kneller Academy in 1711 and his success in England enabled him to retire in 1735. He died in Richmond, Surrey, on 16 May 1749.