The major events in the life of Christian Petersen have been adapted from various sources, including Christian Petersen Remembered by Patricia Lounsbury Bliss, the scholarship of Lea Rosson DeLong, as well as available public information. Where discrepancies exist, an explanation is offered with citation.

Indented points relate to global events and Petersen’s sphere of influence as it relates to other important artists and individuals.

1880s–1900

1885

Christian Petersen born February 25 at Dybbøl in Schleswig region of Denmark.

1888–1897

Augustus Saint-Gaudens taught at Art Students League, New York City.

1894

Emigrated from Denmark with his parents (Peter and Helene) and siblings Anna Fredrica (1888–1984) and Peter (1891–1963).  After three years living near Paxton, Illinois, the family moved to a farm near Newark, New Jersey. (farm near New Jersey coast, (Bliss pg. 3). Anna later lived in Whitehouse, NJ.

1898

James Earle Fraser became studio assistant for Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

1899–1900

Petersen paints Death of First Born, oil on canvas, his earliest known two-dimensional work of art.

1900s

1900

June 11, recorded in unnumbered house on Runyon Street, Essex County, NJ in the home of Peter Petersen (freight yard porter, 41), Helena (no occupation listed, 41), Christian (at school, 15), Peter (at school, 13), Anna (at school, 11). Birth nation listed for all as “Germany.” (U.S. Census)

1900–1902

Petersen enters the Newark Technical and Fine Arts School of New Jersey, beginning a two-year study as an apprentice in die-cutting and graduating at age 17.

1901

Petersen sculpts and casts a silver medal and bronze version, Min Moder (My Mother) as his earliest known three-dimensional medallic work of art.

1902

Petersen begins working as a steel engraver and die-cutter while attending night classes at Fawcett School of Design in Newark for the next two years.

James Earle Fraser opens his own studio.  He begins teaching at New York Art Students League in 1906 and later becomes its director.