H. Chr. Christensen, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of P. S. Krøyer, 1923, no. 112.

Exhibited: Charlottenborg, “P. S. Krøyer 1851–1909”, 1910 no. 46.

Provenance: Shipowner C. Kraemer. Attorney General H. Plockross. Sold at auction 11 March 1919 in Malerisalen, Studenterforeningen no. 51, illustrated (no pagination). Formerly in director Einar Polander and wife's art collection. Bruun Rasmussen auction 899, 2020 no. 38. The last couple of years, the painting has been deposited and exhibited at The Hirschsprung Collection.

In 1873, Krøyer went for the first time to the fishing village Hornbæk, where the local population inspired him to paint several paintings depicting the life of the fishermen and their families, as in this small charming painting with two little sisters.

Here in Hornbæk he met his painting colleagues Bernhard Middelboe (1850–1931), Kristian Zahrtmann (1843–1917) and Holger Roed (1846–1874). Later, Frants Henningsen (1850–1908) joined them. They enjoyed socializing with bathing, walking along the beach and in the woods and they enjoyed each other's company with uplifting conversations.

In addition, time was spent collecting motifs and painting them. Among several works three distinctive paintings were made during this period: “Fra Smedien i Hornbæk” (From the smithy in Hornbæk); and “Morgen ved Hornbæk. Fiskerne kommer i Land” (Morning at Hornbæk. The fishermen come ashore) (both in the Hirschsprung Collection); and “Fiskere ved Stokken” (Fishermen on a bench) (private collection). All dated 1875.