Will He Round the Point?

"Will He Round the Point?" is an 1880 oil-on-canvas masterpiece by Michael Ancher, a renowned Danish painter associated with the Skagen Painters. This painting marked a significant milestone in Ancher's career, as it garnered the attention of Christian IX of Denmark, shining a spotlight on both Skagen and its vibrant art community. The Skagen Painters were a group of Danish artists who congregated in Skagen in the late 1870s, dedicated to portraying the lives of local fishermen and daily village scenes. Ancher moved to Skagen in 1874, and in 1880, he married the innkeeper's daughter, solidifying his connection to the village and its inhabitants.

The painting captures a tense moment with fishermen on Skagen's South Beach, facing a tumultuous sea, possibly looking towards Grenen, the treacherous tip of the Skagen Odde peninsula, where many ships met their demise. Ancher's art often depicted fishermen in dynamic situations, with figures pointing or displaying concern, inviting viewers to ponder what has captured their attention. "Will He Round the Point?" was pivotal in Ancher's career, leading to his rise in prominence after notable buyers expressed interest. King Christian IX purchased the painting for his private collection, and it found a place of honor in the dining room of Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen.

The painting's title might have been influenced by Holger Drachmann's 1875 short story "Vil han naa om pynten?" (Will he get round the point?). Ancher's work is part of a series showcasing Skagen's fishermen, with the final piece being "The Drowned Man" from 1896, which pays tribute to Lars Kruse, a heroic fisherman who drowned in 1894. The original "Will He Round the Point?" remains in the royal collection, with three known versions, including one displayed at Skagens Museum.