One of the most important and influential painters of the 19th century, Eckersberg (1783 - 1853) was a prominent figure in the so-called Golden Age of Danish Art. A painter of great diversity, his art spans many genres, from Romanticism and Neoclassicism to Naturalism and Realism. Eckersberg was also a pioneer of the art of plein air painting. This book offers an in-depth examination of Eckersberg's works, identifying their dualistic nature, as the painter strove for a true representation of reality while aiming to impose structure and order to the world around him. Generously illustrated, the book features works from every period of the painter's career while authoritative essays address Eckersberg's approach to nature and the human body, the storytelling aspect of his work and his paintings' reception by audiences throughout Europe and America.