SwissArtGallery · Documented identity
He receives his first award in 1843 for *Ship in a Headwind*. In 1846, he receives the Thorvaldsen Medal for *The Eddystone Lighthouse*, a work dated to that same year in the list devoted to him.
Travel plays an important role in his career. In 1843, he travels to Morocco aboard the Danish steamship *Hekla*, on a voyage funded by Christian VIII. From the summer of 1847, he lives in Paris until 1858, while continuing to travel. In 1853, he is an embassy attaché in Constantinople and paints for Abdülmecid I; the following year, Napoleon III makes him a Knight of the Legion of Honour. The commissions and acquisitions mentioned in the source also attest to the circulation of his seascapes. For the 1855 Exposition Universelle, Frederick VII commissions from him *Naval Battle in Kogebugt Bay, 1677*. According to the same source, Charles de Morny buys *The Naval Battle of Bothwell off the Coast of Scotland* in 1856. Between 1859 and 1861, he hosts Camille Pissarro in his studio; this documents a meeting in Melbye’s working environment, without, in itself, establishing a relationship of influence.
His participation in exhibitions marks the Paris years and their continuation: the available list mentions the 1848 Paris Salon, the 1855 Exposition Universelle, then exhibitions in London, at the Academy of Arts in Berlin and in Brussels in 1862. In 1867, he presents two more seascapes at the Exposition Universelle. The works listed include *The Frigate Jylland*, dated 1866 and held at ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum. His practice is not limited to painting: Louis Daguerre teaches him photography, and Melbye produces daguerreotypes. *The Pont Neuf*, dated 1848, is listed in this technique, another documented aspect of his activity.
This profile brings together identity references for Anton Melbye and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
2 references are documented at Dobiaschofsky. Each record links to its source; the amounts are not a general valuation of the artist’s work.
Watercolour and charcoal
Segelschiff auf rauer See.
Aquarell und Kohle
Catalogue period : 2023-05-13
Published result : 600 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 500
View the lot at the auction house ↗
Charcoal on paper
Segelschiff auf stürmischer See.
Kohle auf Papier
Date to be documented
Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed
View the lot at the auction house ↗SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
Documentation updated : 2026-10-19
