Hunter was one of four Scottish artists who have become known as the Scottish Colourists. Together they were among the first British artists to make contact with French Post-Impressionist painting which greatly influenced their style. When Hunter returned to Glasgow in 1929 after living in France, he was encouraged by his friend and art dealer Tom Honeyman to concentrate on still-life painting. This was an ideal situation, as Hunter loved to paint flowers in particular, and his still-lifes sold consistently to give him a steady income. This is a vivid example of Hunter’s loose, rapid brushwork. The area around the flowers, patterned backdrop and books features thicker paint in comparison to other parts of the composition where the bare canvas is visible.