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Author: Matt_Viinanen, Contributing Editor
| Zorn used nude painting as a way to “find the solutions of problems”. But it is evident that he looked at the nudes with a touch of strong eroticism. In his biography he describes his models as “dangerous”, and how wherever he travelled, he could simply point at any beautiful woman and have her delivered to his studio the same day.
His models however, were not picked from the “beautiful people”, they were not always fresh, clean and pleasant to look at. He would also use girls from the gutter, with personal and social problems. The average looks of his models were often embellished with even more cosmetics than in real life.Today, we see Zorn’s nudes as national paintings, an expression of Swedishness. His nudes have grown to become a symbol of the Nordic woman.
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| It is worth mentioning that in his vast production of nudes, rarely is the painting about the woman herself. In almost every case she is a part of the nature that surrounds her, as in his majestic painting “Out”, in which he placed two women on a cliff, with a third one in the foreground undressing. Regarding this painting, he said:
"I strived for a result with the same values over the entire canvas, no contrasts… just different colours. I found a pink cliff, on which I placed a couple of models in a pre-decided position and began my work. It was only when I told them to take a break that I found my painting." |
| By 1920, Zorn could look back on life and a brilliant career. He turned sixty on the February 18th, and celebrated in triumph. He had received countless medals, ribbons, titles and honorary mentions. He even had his own chair in the board of the Royal Swedish Art Academy. But at the same time, his heavy body was beginning to give up. He found it harder and harder to breathe and felt more tired by the day. He had also lost his mother this year, which delivered a great blow. A letter was found, written by a friend sent to Prince Eugen ( a close friend of Zorn), in which we can read:
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| "Mora, the 7th of July.
Anders just went off on a trip, although in great pain and not sure if he would be able to make it. He is constantly on medication and talks frequently to his doctor in Stockholm. He says he knows time is closing in on him.” “August 5th Yesterday Zorn went to Stockholm for a two weeks long holiday. However, after a day and night of heavy drinking, he was completely done and had to make his way home to Mora again.” |
| Anders Zorn died in Mora, on the August, 22nd, 1920.
He left behind a huge fortune, in todays money worth well over 6 million American dollars. Then of course there were buildings, airplanes, boats, land and a pretty respected art collection. Before his death he donated money to numerous institutions, and financed the building of a school and a children day-care center in Mora. In his will, he made it very clear that all of his belongings were to be placed in the hands of the Swedish state, and included instructions and means for a cultural institution called the Zorn museum. He also made sure that the building in Stockholm, where he held his studio, was restored and prevented from ever being demolished. Today, the museum includes his home, a new building that was raised for his paintings, his forrest cottage "Gopsmor" and other local landmarks. |
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