Known as ‘Blomster-Jensen’ from an oeuvre consisting of thousands of flower paintings, Johan Laurentz Jensen (1800-1865) was foundational to the Danish botanic tradition. Admitted to the Danish Academy by age fourteen, Jensen learned his craft from C.D. Fritzsch, before exhibiting in 1818 in the Academy’s annual exhibition at Charlottenborg. Drawing inspiration from the Dutch flower painting tradition of, for instance, Jan van Huysum, Jensen created tightly structured yet decorative floral compositions animated by non-naturalistic light, and often favouring the Dutch pyramid structure. This was subject matter which suited bourgeoisie patrons, used for decoration in the domestic sphere. It also enabled Jensen to maintain a scientific exactitude to these natural studies, whilst also conveying National Romantic undertones which dominated at the time. Although his work has only been revealed over the last two decades in art historical study, he undoubtedly shaped both the aesthetic direction and institutional foundations of nineteenth century Danish flower painting.