He travelled with other Danish artists, including Jørgen Roed, Christen Købke and decorative painter Georg Hilker (1807–1875).

He provided them with A Group of Danish Artists in Rome, (Et Selskab af danske Kunstnere i Rom).

In addition he painted Italian folk scenes, and studies of Roman antiquities and architecture that reflect Eckersberg's spirit.

After eight years in Italy he finally returned to Denmark, staying briefly in Munich, where he studied the technique of fresco painting, in anticipation of a commission, along with Georg Hilker, to decorate the University of Copenhagen's vestibule on Frue Plads.

However, four children died within one year after being born and one of their sons, Hans Christian, was killed at the age of nineteen in a shipwreck.