Michael Ancher visited Skagen for the first time in 1874, where he stayed at Brøndum's Hotel. He quickly got a good eye for Anna Brøndum and they soon became each other's confidants. The oldest preserved letter between Anna and Michael can be dated back to 17 January 1875. The present painting is dated c. 1878–1879.

Literature: Elisabeth Fabritius, “Anna og Michael Ancher. Breve og fotografier”, 2018, vol. I, letter 42 from ultimo September 1875, where Michael Ancher writes about his meeting with Anna in a letter to her (in Danish): "Speaking of yourself, you know that we found you here like a beautiful piece of treasure that had been cast upon the baren, deserted beach of Thule. You were, and still are, to use our old saying, a child of the open fields, fresh just like the nature you grew up in – and so is your view on life. That is what constitutes the cornerstone of your artistic endowment, and if only you could preserve this fresh and fine feeling, as true and beautiful as it is now, then nothing will be left wanting”.

Michael and Anna got married in Skagen Church on 18 August 1880 on Anna’s birthday.

NB! Corrected from 'Oil on canvas' to 'Oil on canvas laid on canvas'.