Heinrich Gustav Ferdinand Holm

Holm (23 April 1803 – 1 May 1861), was a Danish artist and engraver who is remembered for his finely detailed topographical paintings and drawings of Copenhagen and surroundings.

He began to specialize in illustrating prospectuses, often sketching areas and buildings of interest before making multiple copies at home, often with minor variations.

His subjects were taken mainly from the streets and squares of Copenhagen, comprising castles and churches, the stock exchange, the university, as well as views of the city from vantage points such as Rundetårn.

The resulting vicious cycle encouraged him to sell his works at low prices which explains how he was given the nickname: Fattigholm or "Poor Holm".

They are of great topographical and cultural interest as they provide one of the best representations of Golden Age Copenhagen, both in terms of the city as a whole and its individual buildings, including life in the streets.

Holm's copperplate vignette for the Danish periodical Danske Magazin