Artwork
Storm
Storm is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Anders Zorn. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1891, this etching by Swedish artist Anders Zorn portrays a horse and rider caught in a fierce storm. Rendered on Van Gelder laid paper, the image conveys swift motion as the animal gallops across a darkened landscape, while the rider clutches the reins, confronting the elements head‑on.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a lone equestrian figure navigating a turbulent sky. The horse’s extended limbs and the rider’s tense posture suggest perseverance against nature’s force, evoking themes of human resolve and the struggle to maintain control amid chaos.
Technique & Style
Zorn employed traditional intaglio methods, incising the scene into a copper plate before printing on high‑quality Van Gelder paper. The etching’s strong line work and stark contrasts of light and shadow create a dramatic atmosphere, while the limited tonal range emphasizes the storm’s oppressive mood.
History & Provenance
First issued shortly after its completion in 1891, the print was circulated among Zorn’s collectors in Sweden and abroad. It remains documented in several museum collections, reflecting its continued relevance within the artist’s print oeuvre.
Context
During the late nineteenth century, Zorn explored a variety of media, including etching, to capture fleeting moments of movement. This work aligns with contemporary interests in realism and the depiction of natural forces, echoing broader European trends toward dynamic, narrative prints.
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.
