Born in Paris, Tavernier exhibited at the Salon from 1864-1870 and worked in London as an illustrator in 1871. He left for New York the following year where he did work for several popular periodicals of the day. In 1873 he traveled west and set up a studio in San Francisco, becoming a visible figure in the city's artistic circles. He traveled to Honolulu in 1884 to escape his California creditors, and painted in the islands with enormous enthusiasm. He became best known for his numberous paintings of Kilauea volcano.

In this view of the sun rising over Diamond Head, Tavernier combined the colors of his favorite colcano subjects with a familiar Oahu view. His vantage point appears to be a slight rise on the makai (ocean) side of Moanalua, not far from what is now Honolulu International Airport.

Oil on canvas by Jules Tavernier, 1888. Image size: 11 3/8 x 7 1/8 in. Each print is packaged with a white mat border, 11 x 14.