Wilhelm Otto Peters was a Norwegian painter born in  1851 in Oslo, and who participated in the "Modern Breakthrough" in Nordic painting. He was associated closely with the Skagen Painters in the early 1880s and was one of the first to paint the fishermen in Brøndums store.

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     Peters studied drawing from 1867−1870 under cartoonist David Arnesen and artist Johan Fredrik Eckersberg. Working as an illustrator, he came to the attention of Karl IV who made arrangements for him to study at the Royal Swedish Academy in Stockholm from 1871−1873. He then went to Rome where he studied under Antonio Piccinni from 1873−1876, completing his studies in 1880 after periods in Munich and Paris.

     Educated as a history painter and inspired by the Dutch painter Lawrence Alma-Tadema, he turned to folklore, exhibiting in Denmark. While in Paris in late 1879, he was attracted by French Naturalism. When he arrived in Skagen in 1881, he had gained international experience from his travels to Germany, Rome and Paris and became a contributor to the "Modern Breakthrough" in Nordic painting.  

     After meeting Michael and Anna Ancher during his first visit to Skagen, he returned in 1882 and 1883 where he associated with the artists Christian Krogh, P.S. Krøyer and Eilif Peterssen. He was one of the first of the Skagen Painters to paint the fishermen in the inn, a theme which was later adopted by Michael Ancher and P.S. Krøyer.

     Peters exhibited at Oslo's Autumn exhibition  (Høstutstillingen) in 1882. In 1885 he became a head teacher at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry, a post he retained until 1923. In addition to his paintings and etchings, he created stained-glass windows including those in St. Olav's Cathedral in Oslo.

     From 1884–1923 he taught decorative painting and watercolor painting. In later years he gained recognition as a watercolor painter, often with landscapes, children's and floral motifs – while some of his oil paintings had to withstand sharp criticism. The artist painted for several years starting in 1910 in Kragerø, and in Drøbak from 1923 onward.

     Peters was the recipient of The King's Medal of Merit in Gold, and Honorable Mention at The World's Fair in Paris 1889.

     The artist is represented in these public institutions:

• Portraits Oslo Sparebank at the University of Oslo

• The National Gallery in Oslo

• Oslo City Museum

• The Norwegian Folkmuseum

• Skien Art Association's Permanent Gallery

• Trøndelag Art Gallery

• The National Museum in Stockholm

• Skagen Museum