His sister was Agnes Mathilde Wergeland (1857–1914), who emigrated to the United States and became known as an author.

He was the great-nephew of Nicolai Wergeland, a priest, writer, and politician, and a member of the Norwegian Constituent Assembly at Eidsvoll.

He was a student of David Arnesen (1818–1895) during 1859 and of the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry from 1865 to 1867.

Today it is located in the Norwegian Parliament, behind the speaker's platform and the presidential podium.

Additionally the painting appeared on several Norwegian postage stamps issued during 1918 for the 100th anniversary of the Constituent Assembly at Eidsvoll.