Self-Portrait

Anders Zorn was one of Sweden’s foremost artists who obtained international success as a painter, sculptor and printmaker. Above all Zorn's reputation was derived from his work as a portrait painter. Many of his portraits were painted in the USA where he gained an almost unbelievable success. Bankers, captains of industry and politicians were prepared to pay astronomical sums to be painted by him. He is also famous for his paintings of the people of Dalarna, the part of Sweden where he was born, and his nudes in the open air. In this self portrait from 1907 he has painted himself as a well-dressed Dalecarlian man. The parish costume’s yellow-white broadcloth jacket stands out distinctly against the dark, corner-joined walls and the green waistcoat and the red band provide a coloristic accent rich in contrast. The hat casts a Rembrandt-like shadow over Zorn’s brow. The artist exudes a feeling of authority with his whole appearance.