Artwork
Bust
Bust is a print by Anders Zorn. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Anders Zorn’s 1916 print titled Bust presents a solitary female figure seated on a chair. The composition centers on the nude body, turned slightly toward the viewer, with hands resting in the lap. Rendered in a nuanced tonal range, the work emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow across the skin, creating a sense of three‑dimensional presence.
Subject & Meaning
The image focuses on an intimate, private moment, capturing the sitter’s calm demeanor as she gazes outward. The subtle turn of the head and the relaxed posture suggest contemplation, while the nude form invites consideration of the human body as a study of form and vulnerability rather than overt narrative.
Technique & Style
Zorn employs a refined printmaking technique that manipulates tonal gradations to model volume. By varying line density and ink wash, he achieves a naturalistic rendering of flesh, emphasizing the chiaroscuro effect that defines the contours of the figure. The approach reflects his broader interest in capturing light’s effect on surfaces.
History & Provenance
Created in 1916, the print entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing early twentieth‑century Scandinavian printmakers and Zorn’s contributions to the medium.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Anders Leonard Zorn was born in February 1860 in Mora, Dalarna, the illegitimate son of a Bavarian brewer and a Swedish farmer's daughter; his mother died shortly after his birth, and his grandparents raised him.
Nude Seated on a Bench with a Pillow (Woman Bathing Her Feet at a Brook)
The Feathered Turban (Le turban à aigrette)
Femme nue vue de dos (Nude Woman Seen from the Back)
Seated Nude with Her Arm Resting on Her Leg (Femme nue assise, le bras appuyé sur la jambe)
Seated Nude Woman from the Back
Seated Nude with Her Arm Resting on Her Leg (Femme nue assise, le bras appuyé sur la jambe)
Nude Seated on a Bench with a Pillow (Woman Bathing Her Feet at a Brook)
Nude Seated on a Bench with a Pillow (Woman Bathing Her Feet at a Brook)
Woman at the Bath with a Hat beside Her
The Feathered Turban (Le turban à aigrette)
Study of a Woman, Viewed from the Back (Étude de femme vue de dos)
Nude with Her Arms Raised (Le modèle nue les bras levés)