Pieter de Josselin de Jong was educated at the academy in Den Bosch. His talent was noticed there: he received a Royal Grant, which allowed him to continue his studies at the academy in Antwerp. He then spent several years in Paris. De Josselin de Jong was one of the most renowned portraitists of his time. He painted Queen Emma (1893), King Willem III (1894) and Queen Wilhelmina (1898) and many other dignitaries, scientists and colleagues (including Charles Rochussen and Jozef Israëls). Around 1890 De Josselin de Jong started painting scenes from farm life and from 1894 also factory interiors and workshops. In 1883 he was awarded the gold medal by King Willem III for his work. He also received various other awards, in the Netherlands, Paris, Munich and the United States.