Art Guide · Painters
Vilhelm Hammershøi
1864–1916
Vilhelm Hammershøi (1864–1916) was the Danish painter known for his quiet, grey-toned, almost empty interiors. His calm, spare works are favourites for minimal and Scandinavian interiors today.
Last updated: · Iconica Society editors
Life and work
Born in Copenhagen, he trained at the Royal Academy. He made his best-known works in the apartment at Strandgade 30 that he shared with his wife Ida: doors, windows, light falling through them and often a woman seen from behind. Largely forgotten after his death, he was rediscovered at the end of the 20th century.
Interior in Strandgade, Sunlight on the Floor (1901, National Gallery of Denmark) makes a patch of sunlight on the floor of an empty room almost its only subject.
Key works
Shop Vilhelm Hammershøi posters →Frequently asked questions
Who is the woman in Hammershøi’s paintings?
Usually the painter’s wife, Ida Hammershøi, typically shown from behind.