Jacques Le Moyne De Morgues (1533?-1588) was a French painter, illustrator and explorer. He also worked in London and accompanied the explorer Sir Walter Raleigh (1552-1618) on his expeditions to Florida in North America. This watercolour is one of 59 studies of flowers, fruits and butterflies by Le Moyne De Morgues in the V&A collection. Such detailed drawings were probably intended to serve as a reference for designers and makers of jewellery, embroiderers or other craftsmen.
