Regarded as the first great Trinidadian painter, Michel-Jean Cazabon (1813 - 1888) was born on the Corynth Estate in North Naparima near San Fernando, Trinidad. His parents owned a sugar plantation, and had emigrated from Martinique following Trinidad’s Cedula of Population in 1783.At thirteen, Cazabon was sent to school in England and he did not return to his homeland until 1830. Seven years later, he moved to Paris to study art and exhibit his work.

He returned to Trinidad in 1848 and shortly-thereafter produced two folios with scenes of the country; “ Views of Trinidad” in 1851 and “Album of Trinidad” in 1857.” The present image, titled “Maravel Dyke,” comes from the first portfolio. The lithography was completed by Eugene Ciceri and the portfolio was published in Paris by Lemercier.

In November of 1888, Cazabon died while painting at his easel.