Vilhelm Hammershoi was a Danish painter, born in Copenhagen and it was there, in the old quarter, where he mainly lived and worked. He painted portraits, landscapes and many room interiors which frequently contained a single figure that was seated or standing.

Hammershøi's father was a wholesale merchant, and the family enjoyed a good standard of living but it was his mother who saw the talent residing within Vilhelm and she dedicated herself to promoting his career.

Hammershøi's elder brother was the painter Svend Hammershøi and he studied under N.C. Kierkegaard.

Hammershoi began his training at age 8, and by the time he was in his mid-teens he was already studying at the Royal Academy of Art* in Copenhagen. Towards th...