A seascape under a clear sky with a frigate in full sail approaching the spectator, its port side showing; in the distance are other naval craft, including a steamer on the left Vilhelm Melbye (1824-82) was the brother of Daniel Hermann Anton and of Fritz Sigfried Georg Melbye. After training to become a merchant he turned to painting under guidance from Anton, and became a student at the Academy in Copenhagen. He exhibited for the first time in 1847. He travelled to Iceland, then lived in Düsseldorf, Paris and London, where he worked from 1853 to 1866. Duing his career he painted seascapes, coastal and harbour scenes, sailing vessels and topographical subjects in many parts of Europe. In 1880 he was made a professor at the Academy in Copenhagen.