Anna Doing Her Hair

Art Historical Context

Anders Zorn's *Anna Doing Her Hair* (1906) is a delicate etching on ivory laid paper measuring just 17.9 × 12 cm for the image—a testament to the Swedish master's ability to capture intimate moments on an intimate scale. Created during the height of Zorn's career, this print belongs to the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints Drawings collection, showcasing his prowess in printmaking. The work depicts a woman in a private, everyday act, rendered with Zorn's signature realism and sensitivity to light and texture. Zorn (1860–1920), a leading figure in late 19th- and early 20th-century European art, was renowned for his etchings, which number over 130 and often rivaled his paintings in depth and nuance. Etching, an intaglio technique involving acid-biting into a metal plate, allowed Zorn to achieve exquisite tonal gradations and fine lines, mimicking the soft glow of skin and flowing hair. The choice of ivory laid paper enhances the luminous quality, a nod to traditional printmaking practices that prized subtle color and texture. This piece exemplifies Zorn's fascination with the female form in unguarded, domestic settings, blending technical virtuosity with emotional warmth. Visitors to the Art Institute can appreciate how such small-scale works invite close viewing, revealing the artist's masterful control and enduring appeal in capturing fleeting beauty.

About the Artist

Anders Zorn · 1860–1920

Anders Zorn (1860–1920), one of Sweden's most celebrated artists, was born on February 18 in Utmeland near Mora in Dalarna, and raised on his maternal grandparents' farm in the nearby hamlet of Yvraden. Displaying prodigious talent from a young age, he attended school in Mora Strand until age twelve, followed by secondary grammar school in Enköping, where he excelled in drawing people and horses. ...