Little Girls with a Cod 

Anna Ancher painted ‘Little Girls with a Cod’ in Denmark, using oil on canvas. Ancher, who came from a family of merchants, lived in a time when women’s roles were largely confined to the domestic sphere. Here, Ancher directs our gaze to the lives of children in the fishing community of Skagen. The painting depicts a group of children proudly displaying a large cod, likely caught by a family member. What does it mean to see childhood and labor so intimately linked? The work hints at the economic realities that shaped these children's lives. It offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between labor, family, and survival in a small coastal town. Ancher’s choice to focus on these children, endows their experiences with dignity. Her work reflects a respect for the working class. With ‘Little Girls with a Cod’, Ancher invites us to reflect on the stories of those often overlooked.