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Author: Matt_Viinanen, Contributing Editor
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"Self portrait in red", oil, 1915. 48"x36" |
| I am aware of a number of people who hold an avid interest in Anders Zorn here on WC, and with such limited sources available in English, I thought I would put together a small introduction about the great man and painter. I shall try to keep this short. If I did not, we could end up with a 2,000 page Anders Zorn book, and ten times that figure again in the amount of working hours needed to compile it. For now, let us say that the time is not right for that project.
I hope you will enjoy this article, and find it to be a cultivating means in which to better acquaint yourself with the artist. I shall split the text up into the sections I think are significant for Zorn. |
| · The Early Years 1860-1875, page 1
· The Academy 1875-1881, page 2 · Engaged 1881-1885, page 3 · Travels 1881-1888, page 6 · Paris 1888-1896, page 8 · Sweden 1896-1920, page 9 · Links, page 12 Written by Matt Viinanen Edited by Gavin "Zarathustra” Banns Layout by Matt and Gavin |
The early years, 1860-1875 "Anders Leonardson, bastard son a farmer's daughter - Grudd Anna Andersdotter of Utmeland is born on the 18th of February, 1860. He is known for his good-tempered behaviour and has been, vaccinated, not known to be carrying any contagious diseases. He has passed elementary school and shows great proficiency in reading and keeping good manners." |
The above text is from a report written by the local preacher, which Anders brought with him when he applied for State Secondary School in Enköping. The identity of his mother is mentioned, but there is no reference as to his father. Today, there is still no legal evidence to verify Ander's father, but beyond any doubt, he was Leonard Zorn, a German Master brewer. Leonard Zorn was never spoken or heard of until 1872, when his son received notice of his death in Finland. He had suffered a lethal stroke at the young age of forty-two. When sorting through his papers the presence of Anders came to attention. The notes told of an Anders Leonard who went to school in Enköping, living with Madame Blomstedt. In 1874 the city council of Mora provided Anders the sum of three thousand kronor (about three hundred US dollars); the money would be guarded by Sven Ersson, a local farmer, until Anders reached the age of fifteen. Johann Leonhard Zorn, photograph from 1871. |  |
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