A bunch of narcissi, wild hyacinths and chrysanthemums, with a small copper butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas)

Zélie-Julie d'Leindre began to study with Pierre-Joseph Redouté in 1807 and was one of his earliest pupils. Few of her works are now known, although her contemporaries thought highly of her: when she exhibited Flowers in a basket at the 1835 Salon, it was purchased by the Duchesse de Berry. She executed works on porcelain as well as vellum, both supports allowing her to paint with the finesse and attention to detail which are evident in the present drawing.