Danish-born painter Carlsen immigrated to the United States in 1872. His extensive art training was all European, starting with the École des Beaux-Arts de Copenhagen, and then the Danish Royal Academy and Académie Julian.
He counted impressionists Childe Hassam, J. Alden Weir, and John LaFarge among his closest colleagues. Carlsen established his reputation primarily on Chardin-like, sensuous still-life compositions and delicate, monochromatic landscapes and seascapes, such as the current example.