Josephus Augustus Knip was the son of the minor decorative painter Nicolaas Frederik Knip, and like three of his four siblings chose to take up art as a career, becoming the most successful member of this artistic dynasty. After studying at the drawing school in ’s-Hertogenbosch as a youth, Knip worked with his father until the latter became blind in 1796, when he took over the responsibility of supporting the family. In 1801 Knip left Brabant to travel to Paris, where he studied with Jacques-Louis David, Baron Gérard and Jean-Joseph Bidauld.

While in Paris he received some commissions from the Dutch ambassador and also produced a number of landscape gouaches* as finished works of art for sale. Knip spent nine years working in Paris...