Although one of the key figures in Danish and Northern German arts and notable for his accurate and detailed style, he has been blamed for idealising rural life.

From 1856 to 1865 he studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen in Wilhelm Marstrand's class with a scholarship granted by a wealthy pastor, a landowner from Vester Gammelby (now a part of Tønder Municipality in Denmark) and by the Countess Schackenborg.

[1][2] Through Marstrand and fellow painters, Jessen was influenced by Høyen's idea of painting Danish national history and tradition.

Claassen notes that Jessen's social career in North Frisia predated his reputation as a painter, since he held many honorary appointments.

Schlee writes that Jessen due to his solid and crafty painting was particularly suited to accurately depict rural life but mentioned also that his works were always slightly idealised imaginations of the "good old days".

This idea is supported by Clausen who writes that Jessen only painted the nice aspects of countryside life but almost completely ignored depictions of hard labour.