Carl Fredrik Hill was a painter and draftsman born in Lund, Sweden. He studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and later in France, where he was influenced by the Barbizon School. A visit to Luc-sur-Mer in 1876 marked a turning point in his artistic journey where he shifted toward a freer, more expressive style that defined his work from that era.

In 1878, Hill's career was interrupted by a psychotic episode, leading to his return to Sweden and a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Despite this he created thousands drawings during that time, fantastical and deeply personal works often referred to as sjukdomskonst (illness art).