Christian Johann Kröner was born in Rinteln an der Weser in 1838 and died in Düsseldorf in 1911. He was originally a decorative painter, dedicating himself fully to art from 1861. Kröner worked autodidactically in Munich and Düsseldorf, painting mostly landscapes in the forest of Teutoburg, the Harz mountain range and the Rügen area. His works are defined by atmospheric moods and a distinctive coloring.

Kröner was awarded a gold medal at the Berlin Exposition. He was a member of the Berlin Academy and a professor by royal appointment.