Johannes Hilverdink was born in Groningen in 1813, but the family moved to Amsterdam shortly after. In the capital, Johannes is taught by J.A. Daiwaille and subsequently enrolled at the art academy. Later he would specialise in painting romantic landscapes and marine views. In 1846 he became a member of Arti et Amicitiae, and continued to show his work in the Exhibitions of Dutch Living Masters well into his old age. Over the course of his life, Hilverdink made trips to Belgium, Germany, England, France and Greenland.