Danish artist Michael Peter Ancher was a realist. He is most famous for his paintings of lakes, fishermen, and scenes of his native fishing community of Skagen. He left behind a legacy of fine art and is widely regarded as one of the most influential Danish artists. To learn more about Ancher, see our gallery listing of his works.

Ancher was born in Bornholm and attended the Royal Danish Academy of Art in Copenhagen. He studied under Frederik Vermehren and Wilhelm Marstrand. While at the Academy, Ancher met the painter Karl Madsen, who later became the first director of the Skagen Museum. Together, Ancher and Madsen began to collaborate and form an artistic group known as the Skagen Painters.

Ancher first visited Skagen in 1874. He began painting there, and the Skagen colony often gathered in the hotel Brondums. In 1880, Ancher married Anna Brondum, a native of the town. The couple lived in the Garden House, which is now a garden in the Skagen Museum. In 1883, Ancher's family moved to Skagen, where he met Madsen.

Ancher is best known for his seascape paintings and fishing scenes. The landscapes of Skagen are characteristic of the artist's era. A number of his most famous works feature fishermen. The landscapes of the Danish port of Skagen are also a popular subject for Ancher. The artist's paintings are often considered classics and are sought after by museums around the world. They are highly collectible and can be found in many museums.