His father was a sailing master. He displayed artistic talent at an early age and was given drawing lessons. He also had access to classes at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.[1] In 1848, after becoming a journeyman decorative painter, he impoverished himself by frequenting the dockyards, working on his desire to become a marine artist, rather than attending to his work.
By 1855, he decided that he had mastered his craft and began exhibiting his seascapes. In 1864, he received a small grant to study abroad from the Royal Danish Academy. Throughout his life, he would make numerous voyages to collect material for his works; notably to Iceland (1855) and Norway (1866, 1868).[1] He tended to prefer quiet scenes with still water or fishermen's villages. His works were very popular in England. He also provided illustrations for the Illustreret Tidende.[1]
