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Vilhelm Pedersen

1820 – 1859

Danish artist

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About Vilhelm Pedersen

Lived 1820 – 1859 (aged 39). Vilhelm Pedersen was a Danish painter, naval officer and illustrator.

Thomas Vilhelm Pedersen (28 January 1820 – 13 March 1859) was a Danish painter and illustrator who is known for his illustrations for fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen. He was the first artist to illustrate Andersen's works. His drawings were converted into wood prints and used in the Danish and German editions.

Biography

Pedersen was born in Karlslunde, south-west of Copenhagen. He initially followed in his father's footsteps and became an officer in the Royal Danish Navy. He was interested in drawing and in 1843 Christian VIII granted him four years' paid leave to enable him to pursue an artistic career. He studied with Wilhelm Marstrand and enrolled at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He first exhibited his works in 1847, but voluntarily returned to the army at the outbreak of the Three Year War. He participated in the Battle of Eckernförde, which he would later depict in two paintings. He then continued his interrupted naval career until his early death in 1859.

Private life

His sons (1858–1942) and Viggo Pedersen (1854–1926) were also painters.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
Awards
Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog
Also known as
Thomas Vilhelm Pedersen, Wilhelm Thomas Pedersen

People in Vilhelm Pedersen's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Vilhelm Pedersen's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Vilhelm Pedersen?

Danish artist (1820–1859)

When was Vilhelm Pedersen born?

Vilhelm Pedersen was born on 28 January 1820 in Copenhagen, Køge.

When did Vilhelm Pedersen die?

Vilhelm Pedersen died on 13 March 1859 in Copenhagen.

What was Vilhelm Pedersen's occupation?

Vilhelm Pedersen was a painter, naval officer and illustrator.

What nationality was Vilhelm Pedersen?

Vilhelm Pedersen was Danish.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Vilhelm Pedersen

· Wikidata: Q2701496

· DBpedia: Vilhelm Pedersen

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Vilhelm Pedersen. https://biography.guide/vilhelm-pedersen/

MLA: "Vilhelm Pedersen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/vilhelm-pedersen/.

Chicago: "Vilhelm Pedersen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/vilhelm-pedersen/.

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