The painting “Sensitive to Cold” was created by Anders Zorn in 1894. It is an oil on canvas work that belongs to the Impressionist movement and falls within the genre of nude painting (nu). The artwork is part of a private collection.
The artwork depicts a nude female figure standing in a body of water, probably a lake or river, with her toes dipped in, suggesting a moment of hesitation due to the cold temperature of the water. Her body is rendered with soft, dappled light that captures the transient effects of sunlight on her skin. Typical of the Impressionist style, the brushwork is loose and the color palette is rich with natural hues, creating a lively and textured appearance that conveys both the chill of the environment and the warmth of the sunlit backdrop.
The woman’s posture and facial expression are turned away from the viewer, with her head slightly down and to the side, as if in a moment of introspection or reaction to the cold. The surrounding vegetation and the reflective quality of the water are painted in a manner that suggests both movement and tranquility. Despite the intimate scene, there is an impression of distance between the subject and the viewer, evoking a private moment shared with nature. The painting is evocative of Zorn’s ability to capture the delicate interplay of light, shadow, and human emotion.
