In July 1853 he moved to Düsseldorf as the first Finnish art student, after many Norwegian and Swedish art students had already gone there to study.
He studied there under Hans Gude.
Erik Bodom was also recruited to help him with his work.
Nordic topics were popular in Germany, and he first focused on them with works such as The Kyrö Rapids.
His breakthrough was in 1856 with Autumn Morning, and with the new-found fame he was able to quickly sell all of his paintings.
By this point Gude recognized Holmberg as fully trained and ended his tutorship, although they still kept close contact.
As he ran out sketches of Finland, he began painting German landscapes.
In July 1853 he moved to Düsseldorf as the first Finnish art student, after many Norwegian and Swedish art students had already gone there to study. He studied there under Hans Gude. Erik Bodom was also recruited to help him with his work. Nordic topics were popular in Germany, and he first focused on them with works such as The Kyrö Rapids. His breakthrough was in 1856 with Autumn Morning, and with the new-found fame he was able to quickly sell all of his paintings. By this point Gude recognized Holmberg as fully trained and ended his tutorship, although they still kept close contact. As he ran out sketches of Finland, he began painting German landscapes.
Werner Holmberg