Jacob Hägg (1839 - 1931) was born on the Swedish island Gotland and was early inspired to paint water and boats, as well as to pursue a career in the navy. He was admitted to the Royal Swedish Naval Academy in Stockholm in 1857 and the following year to the War Academy. Hägg had a successful military career and served as the commander of the Naval War College from 1890 to 1895, after which he was appointed rear admiral in Karlskrona.

His painting developed into a career alongside that of a naval officer. Even during his early voyages at sea, he sketched sailing ships and boats, and he applied his extensive maritime and historical knowledge in his art. Jacob Hägg is regarded, alongside Herman af Sillén and Marcus Larson, as one of Sweden's foremost marine painters.