English-born artist Louise Pickard faced resistance from her family in her early years to choose art as a career. She began studying art at the Slade School of Art in London from 1898–1900 at the age of 30 and later continued her studies in Paris. She had a studio in Chelsea for many years and also worked for an extended period in the south of France.

Pickard mainly focused on settings and interiors, often working in a loose impressionistic style. The strong orange-red contrasted with turquoise that we see in the large still life in this auction is also a recurring theme in several of her paintings. She exhibited regularly from 1909 until her death in 1928, including at The Royal Academy. Her works can be found at the Ferens Art Gallery and Cartwright Hall - and she is also represented at the Tate today.