Anna Ancher: Painting Light

Known for her luminous paintings, bold use of colour, and ability to capture light like no other, Ancher offers a fresh and powerful perspective on the art of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

Though a household name in Denmark, Ancher is little known in the UK. This landmark exhibition brings her work to British audiences for the first time, showcasing over 40 paintings from across her career — including masterpieces on loan from The Hirschsprung Collection and Skagens Museum.

A central figure among the Skagen Painters, Ancher grew up in the fishing village she so often depicted. Her intimate connection to the town and its people shines through in her work — from the contemplative Old Man Whittling Sticks (1880), her formal debut as an artist, to the radiant Sunlight in the Blue Room (1891), where light becomes almost tangible.

Her art bridges tradition and modernity, drawing on French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism while remaining deeply rooted in the culture and rhythms of coastal Denmark.

Ancher’s success was remarkable at a time when women faced significant barriers in the art world — the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Art did not admit women until 1888. Defying social expectations, she built an acclaimed international career and became one of Denmark’s most celebrated female artists.

The exhibition will also feature works by four of Ancher’s female contemporaries — Marie Luplau, Emilie Mundt, Marie Sandholdt, and Louise Bonfils — specially loaned from the collection of Sandi Toksvig.

Anna Ancher: Painting Light is curated by Helen Hillyard, Head of Collection, Dulwich Picture Gallery, in partnership with Skagens Museum. A richly illustrated catalogue with new essays will accompany the show, offering deeper insight into Ancher’s life, work, and legacy.