The artwork titled “Ols Maria,” executed in 1918 by the artist Anders Zorn, is a portrait rendered in oil on canvas. As a piece rooted in the Realism movement, the painting measures 69 by 49.5 centimeters. The genre of the artwork is a portrait, indicative of Zorn’s focus on capturing the essence and detail of his subject with high fidelity.
This portrait features a woman seated, seemingly gazing directly at the viewer, which instills a sense of connection and engagement. She is adorned in traditional attire with a vibrant red garment that immediately draws attention due to its depth and richness. Her head is covered with a scarf decorated with floral patterns, adding a touch of softness and intricacy. The artist’s meticulous technique is evident in the detailed rendering of the fabric, the subtle shading that conveys the contours of her face, and the lifelike expressions that suggest a depth of character. The neutral background serves to emphasize the subject, bringing the viewer’s focus solely onto her, highlighting the mastery of Zorn in depicting human emotion and traditional cultural elements with striking realism.
