Marguérite de Clerq, born in 1857, specialized in painting still lifes, mainly of flowers. With this she followed in the footsteps of many female flower painters before her, including Margaretha Roosenboom and Gerardine van de Sande Bakhuyzen. From 1887 the painter lived and worked in Hilversum, for several years at the same time as Margaretha Roosenboom, from whom she may have been taught. In any case, De Clerq was influenced by her; her flower still lifes have the same impressionistic touch and free treatment of the motif.