Pedersen was born in
Karlslunde, south-west of
Copenhagen. He initially followed in his father's footsteps and became an officer in the
Royal Danish Navy. He was interested in drawing and in 1843
Christian VIII granted him four years' paid leave to enable him to pursue an artistic career. He studied with
Wilhelm Marstrand and enrolled at the
Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He first exhibited his works in 1847, but voluntarily returned to the army at the outbreak of the Three Year War. He participated in the
Battle of Eckernförde, which he would later depict in two paintings. He then continued his interrupted naval career until his early death in 1859. == Private life ==