The Foundations of a Painter Johann Peter Theodor Janssen began his life in Düsseldorf, born to an engraver named Tamme Weyert Theodor Janssen. His early training came from his father's own hands, learning the precise lines of engraving before moving toward the broader strokes of painting. He later entered the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, where he studied under Karl Ferdinand Sohn and Eduard Bendemann. These years in the academy shaped his approach to the canvas. His path was closely tied to the academic traditions of his home city. By 1877, he had attained the position of professor at the Kunst…