Farewell Zorns (recto); Farewell Deerings (verso)

Art Historical Context

Anders Zorn's *Farewell Zorns (o); Farewell Deerings (verso)* (1880/1920) is a captivating double-sided drawing executed in pen and brown ink on laid paper, measuring a intimate 21.4 × 13.7 cm. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago Prints and Drawings department, this work exemplifies Zorn's prowess as a Swedish master draftsman during his prolific career spanning the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for his realist style infused with impressionistic light effects, Zorn often captured everyday moments with fluid, economical lines, bridging formal portraiture and spontaneous sketchwork. The recto features "Farewell Zorns," likely a tender parting scene involving figures associated with the artist's own circle, while the verso depicts "Farewell Deerings," suggesting personal connections—perhaps American patrons or friends named Deering, reflecting Zorn's international travels and social ties. Brown ink on laid paper, a traditional support with its characteristic chain lines, allowed for the rich tonal variations and expressive hatching that define Zorn's technique, evoking depth and emotion in small-scale compositions. This piece highlights Zorn's versatility in ink, a medium he rivaled with etching, underscoring his status as a virtuoso of the human figure and transient moments. For visitors, it offers a glimpse into the artist's personal world, blending intimacy with technical brilliance.

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. ...