Background
Pander was born in Drachten in the Dutch northern province of Friesland. He was the son of a poor boatman.
Pander was born in Drachten in the Dutch northern province of Friesland. He was the son of a poor boatman.
At a young age, his talent for woodcarving was recognised. Wealthy patrons enabled him to study at the Kunstnijverheidsschool Quellinus in Amsterdam (an art school) and later at the Académie des Beaux Arts in Paris. He moved to Rome in 1893, where he set up a studio.
He eventually died in Rome from the effects of tuberculosis.