Education
He then studied art under P.S. Krøyer at the Kunstnernes Frie Studieskoler from 1892 to 1894.
He then studied art under P.S. Krøyer at the Kunstnernes Frie Studieskoler from 1892 to 1894.
Strongly influenced by Kristian Zahrtmann, he painted bright, colourful landscapes while travelling in Italy. He frequently visited the artists" colony of Skagen in the north of Denmark where he painted scenes of the dunes and beaches. Born in Nakskov, Wilhjelm matriculated from high school in 1887.
After studying at Harald Foss"s technical school in Copenhagen, he entered the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1888.
Later, in 1903, he also spent a year studying under Kristian Zahrtmann. Zahrtmann strongly influenced his painting, especially when Wilhjelm attended his school in Copenhagen in 1903.
In some of his earlier works, including Bøn om Regn and Vinhøst I Abruzzerne, Wilhjelm employs a frieze-like relief style which Zahrtmann strongly discouraged. By contrast, his bright, colourful works from Italy, above all those from Civita d"Antino such as Motiv fra en Procession i Appenninerne reveal Zahrtmann"s influence.
Later he painted landscapes of Jutland"s moors as can be seen in his Idyl paa Heden (1908).
His later works also include religious figures and altarpieces including Daphnis og Chloë (1906) and a number of portraits. Wilhjelm joined the artists" colony at Skagen in the north of Jutland where he painted from c. 1910. From 1916, he had a house in Skagen Østerby.
He exhibited his work in Charlottenborg every year from 1893 to 1939 as well as at Den Frie Udstilling and at various exhibitions in Italy, France, Norway, Germany and Britain.
Skagen Painters; Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts]
From 1905 to 1914 he was a member of Charlottenborg"s standing committee and from 1914 to 1922 he had a seat at the Academy.