Vigilius Eriksen (1722 – 1782)

• Was a Danish painter.
• He initially studied under Johann Salomon Wahl.
• In 1755 he was awarded a gold medal in painting at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts.
• Between 1757 and 1772 he traveled and worked in Saint Petersburg where he became the imperial court painter.
• He painted several portraits of Catherine the Great, as well as other royals. 

• After a number of lucrative commissions, Eriksen returned to Denmark to continue his work as a royal portraitist.

• He was now some years busy, painting several times Dowager Queen Juliana Maria and Prince Frederick.

• In the collection at Rosenborg castle are a few works by him.

• In his last years Eriksen seems to have worked little.

• In May 1782 he was attacked by an inflammatory fever, which led to his death on 25 May.

• His widow, Ida Christine née Basse Bech, survived him for many years and died in 1809.

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