At the end of the working day. Three fishermen enjoying the late afternoon sun.

At the End of the Working Day. Three Fishermen Enjoying the Late Afternoon Sun, painted in 1902, is one of Ancher's pastoral images of the Skagen fishing community in repose — the moment when the day's dangerous work is finished and the men can sit in the warmth of the western sun. The title's specificity about the time of day — late afternoon — aligns with his interest in painting particular qualities of light rather than neutral, timeless conditions. Three fishermen at rest after labor connects Ancher to the European tradition of depicting workers in their moments of earned leisure.

The late afternoon sun creates warm, directional light that Ancher uses to unify the composition chromatically, the three figures bathed in the same quality of warmth that the title announces. His handling of resting bodies — the different relaxed postures of three men sitting in open air — shows acute observational skill in depicting the body at ease.