The idea of painting large-scale decorative canvases full of exotic birds in a formal garden setting was invented in Holland by Melchior de Hondecoeter (1636-95, see for example 405354). Bogdani was born in Hungary and moved to Amsterdam in 1684, where Melchior de Hondecoeter was then working and where Bogdani must have learned or at least perfected his specialism – the depiction of plants, birds and animals. In 1688 he settled in England, where, according to George Vertue, he was ‘much encouraged’ by Queen Anne as well as working for William III.

This is one of a pair of bird scenes (OM 476-7, 402410 and 402408), which were probably painted for William III or Queen Anne, which first recorded on the 'Painted Staircase' at Kensington Palace during the reign of George I. On the left a large cockatoo is perched on a stone in front of a large tree trunk; to the right, parrots and passerines gather around a cluster of peaches, grapes and fruits.

Signed 'J. Bogdani.'