I did send before saying Mimosa,
You say the painting is French........well for many years the French sent
"Mimosa" to the UK as a cut flower from around February.
The plant in question is Acacia dealbata "Silver Wattle" see
http://www.anbg.gov.au/images/photo_...lbata_069.html

--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk