Alfred de Knyff was born in Brussels 20 March 1819. He was a student at the Academy in Brussels. He travelled to Barbizon where he was inspired by Rousseau, Dupré, Daubigny, and met Corot. He won three medals for his painting at Paris salons: in 1857, 1859, and 1861. De Knyff was a Chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur, and a member of the Order of Léopold. He had some artistic success in France; examples of his work are in museums in Amiens, Anvers, and Brussels. De Knyff died in Paris on 22 March 1895.