Wilhelm Hensel

Born in the German town of Trebbin, the artist Wilhelm Hensel was the son of a Protestant preacher, brother of the poet Luise Hensel, and husband of the composer Fanny Mendelsson Hensel. Hensel painted and drew many portraits, eventually becoming the royal court painter in Berlin. He was also a writer and poet, and Fanny set some of his poetry to music. Wilhelm, in turn, illustrated the sheet music for some of Fanny’s compositions.