Editing Constantin Hansen (section)

== Foreign study ==

In 1835 he received a two-year stipend to travel abroad, which was followed up by an additional year's stipend. His travels took him through Berlin, [[Dresden]], [[Prague]], [[Nuremberg]] and [[Munich]] on his way to [[Italy]], where he travelled extensively and stayed longer periods in Rome, [[Naples]] and [[Pompeii]]. In Italy he met fellow Dane, the sculptor [[Bertel Thorvaldsen]]. He travelled with other Danish artists, including [[Jørgen Roed]], [[Christen Købke]] and decorative painter [[Georg Hilker]] (1807–1875).<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.kulturarv.dk/kid/VisWeilbach.do;jsessionid=21956CFFA55B8EC61AC4B3197C3D3464?kunstnerId=4336&wsektion=biografi |title= Georg Hilker|publisher= Kunstindeks Danmark & Weilbach Kunstnerleksikon|author= Sys Hartmann  |accessdate=March 1, 2019}}</ref>

The Copenhagen Art Union (''Kunstforening'') commissioned a painting from Hansen in 1837. He provided them with ''[[A Group of Danish Artists in Rome]]'', (''Et Selskab af danske Kunstnere i Rom''). In addition he painted Italian folk scenes, and studies of Roman antiquities and architecture that reflect Eckersberg's spirit.

After eight years in Italy he finally returned to Denmark, staying briefly in Munich, where he studied the technique of [[fresco]] painting, in anticipation of a commission, along with Georg Hilker, to decorate the [[University of Copenhagen]]'s vestibule on Frue Plads.  This work continued from 1844 until 1853.  Hansen painted the mythological figures, while Hilker painted the decorations and frameworks.