Howard Hilder , born in London, was one of the first artists to settle in South Florida and by 1923, was considered the dean of the Miami artist colony. Hilder painted a series of murals, The Life of Christ for the St. Stephens Church in Coconut Grove, murals for the King Cole and Nautilus Hotels on Miami Beach, a mural for the Miami Woman’s Club, scenes at Miami Senior High School, and a mural for the opening of Rollins College’s Bok-Anne Russell Theater in Winter Park. The Miami Herald, March 20, 1920 described Hilder, “Howard Hilder, Chopin of Painters, Has Expressed Spirit of the Florida Jungles". The artist died in 1935.

His "Royal Palms" painting, is an exemplary piece.