Carl (Karl) Blechen was born in Cottbus (Germany) on July 29, 1798.

Blechen drew the attention of prominent architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel, who cast him as a decorative painter. He however aimed for higher work and began producing landscape paintings. In 1827 he went to Italy, and from 1835 was a member and professor at the Akademie der Künste in Berlin.

Carl Blechen died July 23, 1840.