Mathieu Horrix (1845 – 1923) was born into a well known The Hague family of cabinetmakers and manufacturers. Initially he designed furniture and interiors, but he soon chose to become a painter. He studied at the Koninklijke Academie van Beeldende Kunsten in The Hague en continued his studies with Philip Sadée, who had a lot of influence on the style of Horrix. Horrix also studied at the Academie voor Beeldende Kunsten in Leuven and stayed –  together with his brother Frans – in Paris between 1866 and 1870.

Horrix specilised in painting the people of Zeeland and their daily life, especially genre paintings and landscape paintings for which he used bright and bold colours. Furthermore he created many works in The Hague among them the famous water colours of The Hague Zoo of which this one is a fine example.

The Hague Zoo, officially called the Royal Zoological-Botanical Garden, opened in 1863. Many events were held in the main building, such as theater performances, musical performances, poultry exhibitions, dog shows, thé dances and film screenings.The Hague Zoo thus gained additional social benefit for The Hague society.