Mosque in Cairo in the Evening Sun.

Hildebrandt (1818-1869) was a pupil of the marine painter Wilhelm Krause in Berlin, where he soon became interested in Alexander v. Humboldt. On his recommendation, King Friedrich Wilhelm IV had sent Hildebrandt to Brazil and the United States of America in 1844-45. Further journeys followed, and in 1862-1864 the artist undertook a journey around the world that led him from Italy across the Middle East and Egypt to India, China and Japan, then across the Pacific to California, Central America and finally England.
He got acquainted with masterpieces of French art displayed at the Berlin Academy, and these awakened his curiosity and envy. He went to Paris, where, about 1842, he entered the atelier of Isabey and became the companion of Lepoittevin. In a short time he sent home pictures which might have been taken for copies from these artists. Gradually he mastered the mysteries of touch and the secrets of effect in which the French at this period excelled.