Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920)

On the Beach illustrates beautifully why Anders Zorn became one of the most highly revered painters of the Nineteenth Century in Sweden and why he is still held in very high regard. The 'Swedish Impressionist' manipulated paint onto canvas 'en plein air', with quick brushstrokes capturing the moment as he saw it with his own eyes. His impressionist style had earned him a place among the royalty in Sweden and he enjoyed an illustrious life, painting the European aristocracy in particular. Although his portraits are exceptional works that boldly combine the grandeur of court portraiture with the informal impressionist technique, it is his nudes outdoor for which he is best known. The present work shows the artist skill with his use of rapid brushstrokes and subtle use of colour. Zorn often painted in the countryside and it was there that he could engage most with his surroundings and his models as he combined so effortlessly the time-honoured subject of the nude model with the essence of Swedish culture.