Artwork
Djos Mats
Djos Mats is a print by Anders Zorn. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Djos Mats is a black‑and‑white print executed by Swedish artist Anders Zorn in 1911. The work depicts a bearded, long‑haired man in a simple white shirt, rendered with stark contrasts that give the figure a palpable sense of volume. It is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait presents a solitary male figure whose gaze is directed downward, suggesting introspection or fatigue. His unkempt hair and beard, along with the loosely open collar, convey a casual, unidealized presence, focusing attention on the individual's character rather than any narrative setting.
Technique & Style
Zorn employs chiaroscuro within the print, juxtaposing deep shadows against illuminated planes to model the face and clothing. The visible line work and cross‑hatching create texture, while the plain background isolates the sitter, emphasizing form and tonal modulation over decorative detail.
History & Provenance
Created in 1911, Djos Mats entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on view. The print reflects Zorn’s mature period, during which he explored graphic media alongside his well‑known paintings and watercolors.
Context
At the turn of the twentieth century, Zorn was internationally recognized for his skill in both painting and printmaking. This work aligns with his interest in direct, unembellished portraiture, and it demonstrates the broader European trend toward stark, monochromatic graphic studies that emphasized light, shadow, and the human form.
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.
