Carsten Henrichsen was a proficient Danish landscape painter who, despite his humble beginnings, achieved various academic awards including the prestigious ‘Neuhausen Prize’.

Born the son of an innkeeper, his artistic prospects were limited, as undertaking formal tuition was a costly affair. However, fortunately, the distinguished Danish master, Frederik Christian Kiærskou, (1805-1891) noticed the boy’s potential and encouraged him to seek funding from willing patrons. It’s not clear how he knew Kiærskou but it’s tempting to consider whether he frequented his father’s inn.

Academic patronage was forthcoming from various sources including ‘Baron Løvenskjold’ and in 1840, Henrichsen enrolled at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. The emphasis at the Academy was on honing one’s drawing skills, particularly in figure work, and it’s here that he excelled. It’s said that he initially pursued a career as a figure painter but soon switched to landscapes for financial reasons.

He enjoyed exploring the rural areas around Copenhagen and also the picturesque rolling vistas of North Zealand. In a detailed style similar to Kiærskou’s, he captured the topographical minutiae with careful observation. His works carry a quaint sense of nostalgia, they celebrate simple rural crafts and the virtues of being intrinsically bound to nature. There’s also an abundance of national pride wrapped into his charming depictions.

Popular with both the Danish bourgeois and the Academy's selection committee, he exhibited for almost 50 years at the prestigious Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition in Copenhagen. Many of his works are on a small scale partly due to the lack of middle-class wealth in Denmark at the time.

Exhibited

Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Artists' Association.

Timeline

1824

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to Hendrik Larsen, an innkeeper, and Maren Larsen (nee Jørgensdatter).

1840-1845

Trained at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

1845-1849

Studied drawing under Frederik Ferdinand Helsted (1809-1875).

1847

Debuted at the Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition in Copenhagen where he continued to exhibit annually until 1896 missing only five years.

1855

Married Rosine Sophie Nathalie Schønberg in Lyngby.
Awarded the Neuhausen Prize for ‘Parti af Dyrehaven’.

1858

Awarded a grant by the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.

C. 1860

Provided drawing lessons.

1870

Married Agnes Otta Friderikke Wilhelmine Benzon in Copenhagen.

1882

Debuted at the Artists' Association.

1897

Died in Copenhagen.