Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro was a Portuguese painter born in Cacilhas in 1857. He was the son of painter and engraver Manuel Maria Bordalo Pinheiro and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Lisbon. He was known for his independent style and was passed over for a State scholarship in Paris due to his unusual palette.

Bordalo-Pinheiro eventually traveled to Paris in 1881 with the patronage of the Countess D Edla and absorbed new Parisian currents. He returned to Lisbon in 1883 and painted the famous canvas "Grupo do Leão" (Lion's Group). He worked on decoration projects for various buildings and his works can be found in illustrious private collections and museums.