Provenance: Kunsthallen auction 303, 1973 no. 7, ill. p. 17.

It is often Peder Severin Krøyer (1851–1909), who, due to his masterful treatment of light, has repeatedly been given the title “the painter of light”, and who is known for his depictions of beautiful women strolling along Skagen beach in either sunlight or moonlight. If you look abroad, you cannot help but think of the Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla (1863–1923), who is also known for depicting women in light dresses on the beach, and to whom Krøyer has often been compared. But Michael Ancher also took up this beautiful motif, and the present painting, which captures the light and the summer atmosphere, can be compared to some of Krøyer’s and Sorolla’s best works. In the present painting, Ancher has placed the four waving women almost right at the water’s edge, where a light sea breeze creates ripples on the sea and grabs the long white summer dresses and handkerchiefs - the atmosphere of a fresh summer day is almost tangible.