“Self-portrait with a model” is an artwork by Anders Zorn, completed in 1896. The painting is executed in oil on canvas, measuring 41.3 x 49 cm. It belongs to the Impressionism movement and can be categorized as a genre painting. Currently, the piece is held in a private collection.
In the artwork, Anders Zorn features himself in the foreground, depicted with a subdued palette mostly using shades of white, black, and gray, giving the impression of him dressed in formal attire. His face is turned towards the viewer in a three-quarter profile, with a serene expression, and his eyes are slightly closed or downcast. In the background, there is a model who appears in a more loosely painted style, with a richer, warmer palette. The model is almost in a chiaroscuro effect—sharp contrast between light and dark—suggesting depth and contributing to the focal point of the painting. Zorn’s mastery of light and shadow is evident here, creating a dynamic composition. The brushwork is fluid and expressive, typical of the Impressionist style, where quick, visible brushstrokes capture the essence of the subject rather than its minute details. Overall, the painting conveys a moment of introspection or contemplation as the artist himself seems to be reflecting, possibly on the act of painting or the nature of artistic representation.
