11 Facts About Constantin Hansen

Carl Christian Constantin Hansen was one of the painters associated with the Golden Age of Danish Painting.

Constantin Hansen painted many altarpieces and portraits, including the monumental oil painting The Danish Constituent Assembly between 1861 and 1865.

Constantin Hansen was born in Rome, the son of portrait painter Hans Hansen.

Constantin Hansen entered the architecture school of the Royal Danish Academy of Art at 12 years of age, but changed his course of study to painting at the age of 21.

Constantin Hansen began his training under Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg in 1828.

Constantin Hansen lost both his parents at about this time to typhus, and became the sole supporter of his younger sisters.

Constantin Hansen took over several commissions that had belonged to his father, including some copies to the Portrait Collection at Frederiksborg Palace and decorative paintings to Christiansborg Palace.

Constantin Hansen's travels took him through Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Nuremberg and Munich on his way to Italy, where he travelled extensively and stayed longer periods in Rome, Naples and Pompeii.

Constantin Hansen provided them with A Group of Danish Artists in Rome,.

Constantin Hansen painted the mythological figures, while Hilker painted the decorations and frameworks.

One of his daughters, Elise Konstantin-Constantin Hansen, became a recognized painter, and another Kristiane Konstantin-Constantin Hansen, became a tapestry weaver.