Born in
Dragør, he was the son of Andreas Adolf Nikolaj Mølsted, a fisherman, and Ane Hans-Nielsdatter. With financial support from a relative, he completed his education in
Copenhagen at
Det tekniske Selskab where he graduated in 1879. After sailing to
Madeira that summer on the frigate
Jylland, he entered the
Danish Academy in October 1880, under the tutelage of
Frederik Vermehren,
Jorgen Roed,
Julius Exner and
Carl Bloch. During his studies, he travelled to
Paris and
London where he was able to observe the trends in contemporary art. His first showing came in 1884 and he continued to be a regular participant in the
Charlottenborg Spring Exhibition. He graduated from the Academy in January 1885, set out to become a marine painter and received instruction from two local self-taught artists in Dragør, Commander Peder Foss (1821-1882) and the pilot, Hendrik Strømberg (1840-1916). In 1889, he was awarded the for his
Ships in the Harbor at Larsens Plads. His subjects are for the most part taken from the coasts around Copenhagen or in
Jutland. Among the artist’s favorite subjects were the heroic battles of captains
Peter Tordenskjold and
Peter Willemoes. Historical details, as well as detailed information about the ships, was provided for the paintings by Otto Dorge, a local expert in Dragør. Later in life, he also created
genre paintings. Mølsted's works were widely appreciated for his perfectionist approach, his attention to historical detail and his ability to bring things to life. He died on 10 May 1930 in Dragør and is buried in the cemetery at
Dragør Church. His studio in Dragør now serves as a museum of his works. The display contains a wide range of his artwork from his marine paintings to local subjects. ==Selected works==