The “Self-portrait” by Anders Zorn is a watercolor on paper created in 1882, depicting the artist himself. Measuring 24 x 16 cm, this artwork is a fine example of the Realism art movement, focusing on realistic depiction. The piece is currently housed at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm, Sweden. In this self-portrait, artist Anders Zorn has rendered his likeness with a deft touch, demonstrating his skill with the watercolor medium.
In the painting, you can see a head-and-shoulders view of Zorn, facing slightly to the left. His expression seems contemplative and serious, with his eyes gazing outward, engaging the viewer. There’s a notable presence of a cigar placed in his mouth, which adds a personal touch to the portrait, suggesting perhaps a leisurely or contemplative moment. The brushwork is evident with a fluid and confident application of color, which provides a sense of depth and texture. The background is dark and nondescript, focusing attention on Zorn’s face and the upper part of his dark clothing. The overall effect is one of directness and intimacy, characteristic of self-portraits where the artist wishes to convey not just their appearance, but an aspect of their character or mood to the viewer.
The artwork carries Zorn’s signature and the year of creation, which authenticates it as a personal work from the artist’s own hand, offering a glimpse into his self-perception during that time.
