Jacob Axel Gillberg

His father, Jacob Gillberg, was a copper engraver, who was serving as an Army draftsman at the time of his birth. At the age of ten, he was working with the fortification corps.[1] Two years later, he was already a student at the Royal Institute of Art and won several prizes. He received some guidance from the Danish miniaturist, Cornelius Høyer, during a visit there, and exhibited his first miniatures shortly after, in 1785.[2]

By 1790, he had gone abroad; spending several years in Holland, France, England and Belgium, where he studied with the miniaturist, Marie de Latour.[1] Part of this was funded by a state scholarship. He enlisted in the Army as a Captain in 1792.[2] The following year, he became a military draftsman like his father.

Until 1810, he served as an instructor at the Military Academy Karlberg, becoming a professor there in 1798. He was promoted to Major in 1803.[1] After 1812, he was involved with the conscription process. During this time, he was able to exhibit occasionally at the Royal Academy and was much sought-after for his portraits. He also spent some time as a court painter for King Karl XIV Johan.

From 1840 until his death, he was the Director of the Royal Academy.[2] His works may be seen at the Nationalmuseum[3] and the Göteborgs konstmuseum.[4]

Media related to Jacob Axel Gillberg at Wikimedia Commons

• Biographical notes @ the Netherlands Institute for Art History
• Biographical data @ the Kunstindeks Danmark
• Entry on Gillberg @ Geni.com