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Gustav Wentzel was a naturalistic painter who was born in Vaterland, Christiania, and grew up in the neighboring suburb of Grønland. Although he was known to be technically proficient, his style was somewhat uneven. Wentzel became famous in art history for being the cause of the first "autumn exhibition". He was originally trained as a bricklayer, but decided to become a painter and attended Knud Bergslien's painting school and the royal school of drawing.

Wentzel was part of the young and radical bohemian movement, and his artwork was characterized by interiors from the petty bourgeoisie. He was influenced by modern French art, and his works took on a lighter tone and a more colorful glow. Wentzel traveled extensively throughout his career and was a pupil of the painter Bouguereau at the Académie Julian in Paris. He was also awarded a medal for Morning Mood, which was exhibited at the Académie Colarossi in Paris. Wentzel was financially challenged and was forced to leave the capital, but his art has made him one of the most famous artists of the decades around 1900.