Exhibited: The Nivaagaard Collection, “Venskabsportrætter fra Rom”, 2016, Cat. No. 50, mentioned p. 73, ill. p. 73.

Provenance: Circolo Scandinavo / Skandinavisk Forening i Rom (Inv. No. A 16).

Johan Per Södermark followed in the footsteps of his father, Olof Johan Södermark (1822–1899), who was initially a military topographer and later pursued a career in art. Per Södermark's own journey began in 1843 in the military, but just a few years later, in 1848, he decided to pursue the arts. He apprenticed under his father and was later admitted to The Rayal Insitute of Art in Stockholm. It was during his time at the Academy that he had the opportunity to embark on a study and educational journey, including a visit to Rome.