Wilhelm Kuhnert is considered one of the greatest wildlife painters in art history. Kuhnert trained under the animal painter Paul Meyerheim in Berlin, where he first mastered the art of rendering animal fur, hair, and muscles. His talents were noted by his teachers, who advised him to devote himself entirely to animal painting. Enthusiastically taking their advice and in pursuit of this subject, he traveled extensively in Africa and the East, especially in Ceylon and East Africa. A keen hunter, he returned to Africa and the East year after year in the hunt for both game and subjects for his art.