Gustav Vermehren was born into a creative family and destined to become an artist. His father, Frederik (1823-1910) was an accomplished painter - well admired for his idealised rural scenes that romanticised the working classes.

As a child, Gustav would’ve been taught to draw by his father which surely provided the catalyst for his formal education. It’s interesting to note that throughout his career he stayed true to his father’s style. When confronted with the new freer approach of the French impressionists, he rejected it despite frequent accusations of being old fashioned.

As you can imagine, during the later part of the 19th-century, it became fashionable to adopt a looser brushstroke and flood your canvases with light. Yet Gustav, along with his brother Sophus (1866-1950), remained steadfast to their father’s ideals.

1863

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark.

1881-1887

Studied at the Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen.

1888

Works exhibited for the first time at Charlottenborg Palace.

Married Louise Borchsenius (1862-1954).

1889

Won the Academy’s Neuhausen Prize.

1892

Founded a preparatory school with his brother, Sophus, for the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

1893-1912

Worked as an inspector of the King’s private painting collection.

1893

‘A Picky Row’ acquired by the Danish National Gallery.

1894

Birth of daughter, Ruth Vermehren (1894-1983), who became one of Denmark's first female priests.

1897

Birth of daughter, Esther Marie Vermehren (1897-1933).

1900

Founded the Association for National Art.

1900-1904

Worked as an art critic at the newspaper, Vort Land.

1906

Married Frede Funch-Rasmussen (1882-1933). The couple had four children.

1907

Birth of daughter, Kate Ruth Esther Vermehren (1907-1984).

1913

Birth of daughter Lise Frede Ella Thomasine Vermehren (1913-2003).

1924

Birth of son, Gustav Vermehren (1924-1961). Became part of the Danish Resistance during World War II.

1926

Birth of daughter, Marie Louise Emanuela Laura Vermehren (1926-2016).

1931

Died in Copenhagen, Denmark.