Peter Christian Thamsen Skovgaard (known as P.C. Skovgaard; 4 April 1817 – 13 April 1875) was a Danish national romantic landscape painter. He is one of the main figures associated with the Golden Age of Danish Painting*. He is especially known for his large scale portrayals of the Danish landscape.

Skovgaard was born near Ringsted to farmer Tham Masmann Skovgaard and his wife Cathrine Elisabeth. The family had to leave the farm when he was six years old. They moved to Vejby in north Sjælland where his father earned his living as a grocer. Already as a young child he impressed his family with his artistic abilities.

His mother, who had studied art under flower painter Claudius Ditlev Fritsch, gave him instructions in ...