Commentary by JOHN HOWARD SANDEN





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The Self-Portraits of Anders Zorn


Anders Zorn
1860-1920

The great Swedish master looks into the mirror.

nders Zorn (1860-1920) occupies an enviable place in art history. His name is invariably included in an illustrious quartet of late nineteenth-century/early twentieth century masters of the art of premier coup (direct stroke) oil technique. The four names which are customarily linked are: John Singer Sargent (American), Joaquin Sorolla (Spanish), Giovanni Boldini (Italian) and Zorn (Scandinavian). Legion were (and are) the painters who have attempted this very difficult and demanding technique, but these four, working contemporaneously, were the standard-bearers of the discipline in their era.

Zorn's work is always exciting. His draftsmanship is superb. His brushwork is fresh, direct and animated. His compositions are frequently unconventional. For the working artist who needs inspiration to free his hand from hesitation and restraint, Zorn is the perfect artist to study. Here are four examples of his brilliant work, all self-portraits:















4. Self-Portrait in a Fur Coat and Hat, 1915

Everything in a Zorn painting is achieved through a kind of brushwork/shorthand. The soft texture of the fur coat is deftly achieved by thin applications of very fluid paint. The head, (or rather, the light on the head) is rendered with broad, simple strokes. The black hat is almost an abstract shape. Note the very dark cast shadows over the eyes, and the exceptional darkness of the shadow cast by the head onto the lapel of the coat.

Click portrait to enlarge.

Oil on canvas, 35 x 23 inches
(90cm x 58.5cm)

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