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 typical bird fantasies from the circle of Bogdani (405283 and 405284). Water issues from a carved stone ornamental fountain around which are gathered wildfowl and other birds; in the foreground, beside a narrow channel are a muscovy duck, a mallard duck and a pair of shoveller ducks.