Jef van Leemputten comes from a famous Belgian family of animal painters. He was nephew of the animal painters Cornelis and Frans van Leemputten, son of Jean-Baptiste. In line with family tradition, he attended the Antwerp Academy. Initially he painted historical and religious scenes. He then focused on romantic landscapes and animals. He preferred cows, sheep and poultry, although depictions of horses and dogs by this painter are also known.