An American illustrator and painter, Graves’ focus was on floral life stills and garden paintings.

Born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, 1859, with ambitions to become an architect, Graves attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology but did not graduate.

Visits to Paris and Italy in 1884 helped to refine his skills as a flower painter. Returning to Boston in 1885, Graves became a teacher at the Cowles Art School.

After 1891, the majority of Graves' works depict gardens and floral landscapes, some with (including this work) female figures. Some portray exotic gardens of South America and Spain.

Employed as a commercial magazine illustrator in Paris (1902-1905), Graves also studied at the Académie Vitti in Paris. After 1922, Graves spent his winters in New York City.

At the time of his death, he was acclaimed as a garden painting specialist.

Oil on canvas