Michael Ancher's first encounter with his future wife Anna Ancher can be dated to the summer of 1874, when he visited Skagen for the first time. Like all other visitors to Skagen of the time, he stayed at Brøndum's Inn, which was run by the Brøndum family. The family's youngest daughter Anna showed an interest in art from an early age and sought out the company of the visiting painters.
In the portrait, Michael Ancher demonstrates his talent as a portrait painter and his personal affection for the sitter is palpable. Anna's gaze is determined and somewhat serious, but also heartfelt and warm at the same time. The portrait is influenced by earlier portraiture, particularly Dutch painting of the 1600s. Especially Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) was a great source of inspiration for the Michael Ancher. Anna and Michael Ancher visited the Netherlands in 1885 and saw several paintings by old Dutch masters.
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