# Vilhelm Melbye

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**Knud Frederik Vilhelm Hannibal Melbye** (14 May 1824 – 6 October 1882) was a [Danish](/source/Denmark) [marine artist](/source/Marine_art). Over the course of his career, he painted seascapes, coastal and harbor scenes, sailing vessels and topographical subjects in many parts of Europe, especially in the [Mediterranean region](/source/Mediterranean_Sea).[1][2]

## Biography

Melbye was born in [Elsinore](/source/Helsing%C3%B8r), Denmark. He was the son of Jacob Buntzen Melbye and Anna Marie (Clara) Christine Løehts. His brothers were painter and photographer [Anton Melbye](/source/Anton_Melbye) (1818–1875) and marine painter [Fritz Melbye](/source/Fritz_Melbye) (1826–1869). He first trained to become a merchant but then turned to painting, studying under his older brother Anton, already an established marine painter, and attending the [Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts](/source/Royal_Danish_Academy_of_Fine_Arts) from 1844 to 1847. He also took private classes in perspective drawing with [Carl Dahl](/source/Carl_Dahl).

In 1847, he went on his first journey, to [Iceland](/source/Iceland) aboard the corvette *Valkyrien*. In 1848, he became one of the first artists to paint in [Skagen](/source/Skagen).[3] The same year he traveled to [Paris](/source/Paris) by way of [Düsseldorf](/source/D%C3%BCsseldorf).[4] In Paris he studied with [Théodore Gudin](/source/Th%C3%A9odore_Gudin) (1802–1880) before returning to Denmark in 1849.

He was appointed professor at the academy in Copenhagen in 1880 but died in 1882 in [Roskilde](/source/Roskilde). He was interred at Holmens Kirkegård in [Copenhagen](/source/Copenhagen).

## Works

Vilhelm Melbye preferred a realistic style, often also with romantic or dramatic scenes. Many of his works depict southern European coastal or harbor views. He was influenced by his older brother and teacher Anton Melbye but another important influence in his oeuvre was the [Düsseldorf School](/source/D%C3%BCsseldorf_School), especially [Andreas Achenbach](/source/Andreas_Achenbach).[5]

## See also

- [Art of Denmark](/source/Art_of_Denmark)
- [List of painters from Denmark](/source/List_of_painters_from_Denmark)

## References

1. ["Melbye, Knud Frederik Vilhelm Hannibal"](https://runeberg.org/dbl/11/0243.html). *Dansk biografisk Lexikon*. Retrieved February 1, 2021.

1. ["Vilhelm Melbye"](https://www.kulturarv.dk/kid/VisWeilbach.do?kunstnerId=216&wsektion=alle). *Weilbachs Kunstnerleksikon*. Retrieved February 1, 2021.

1. ["Vilhelm Melbye"](http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Kunst_og_kultur/Billedkunst/Danmark_1850-1910/Vilhelm_Melbye), *Den Store Danske*. (in Danish) Retrieved 1 November 2013.

1. ["Wilhelm Melbye"](http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Kunst_og_kultur/Billedkunst/Danmark_1850-1910/Vilhelm_Melbye). AOK. Retrieved 2010-10-06.

1. ["Marine Art Wanted: Sell your 19th Century Painting"](http://www.fineartemporium.com/se-Melbye-V.htm). Fine Art Emperium. Retrieved 2010-01-04.

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