Bukowskis presents Anders Zorn at Important Spring Sale

Bukowskis presents several important artworks by Anders Zorn on Important Spring Sale

Anders Zorn, "Kuvåsängen", 1918

"Kuvåsängen" from 1918 is an exquisite interior from Gopsmor in which Zorn dedicates himself to a penetrating study of chiaroscuro. The daylight, interacting with the darkness in the composition, enters from the window on the right and illuminates the model's left side, where she stands naked on the bench, meeting the viewer's gaze. Zorn also excels as a colourist, despite his limited palette, evoking deep, rich, and delicate tonal values.

The motifs from Gopsmor were created with a serious intention. Zorn came from a region with traditional customs and humble conditions. His depictions of rural life emerged during a time when industrialism posed a threat to inherited ways of life, and the paintings took on the character of uncomplicated counter-images to the rapidly advancing "modernity."

Anders Zorn, "Gods-Kari", 1916

In this portrait, Anders Zorn has depicted young Gods-Kari in the beautiful winter costume of Mora. Gods-Kari's real name was Ester Jansson and she was born in 1897. With the clarity of a master, Zorn has captured the double play of light over the model and the costume. The natural light enters from the left of the painting and plays over the hands and the soft folds of the green skirt. The heat and light from the fireplace, which we can sense outside the image on the right, is reflected in the jacket, colouring God-Kari's cheeks a rosy red. The ivory-white coat and light-coloured shawl almost melt into the wall bathed in winter light. The accent of red in the hairband revealed, for those who were interested, that the woman was still unmarried.

One of Zorn's great ambitions in life was to preserve the culture of his home province and protect it from the excessive changes of industrialism. In his paintings from Mora and the surrounding area, there is often a concern for traditions, for example by highlighting the cultural uniqueness of the traditional dress and thus paying tribute to the people of Dalarna for holding on to their unique history. In 1874 his mother Grubb Anna Andersdotter had married Skeri Anders Andersson, with whom she had four daughters. The family's existence was often difficult and darkened by overcrowding and poverty. When Anders Zorn's career took off in England in the 1880s, he sought to alleviate his mother's situation by sending home small financial contributions.

Anders Zorn, "The Letter", 1882

After his secret engagement to Emma Lamm in 1881, the young and ambitious Anders Zorn embarked on a journey that would change his life. He travelled through London and Paris to Spain, where he already perceived Andalusia's mystique and charm, influenced by Egron Lundgren's watercolours featuring women in mantillas. During this stay, he created some of his most famous works, such as "Kusinerna" (1882) and "Modersglädje" (1882). Although the Spanish watercolours were appreciated, and one from Cadiz was accepted at the Salon, it was money and fame that he sought to provide Emma Lamm with the husband she deserved and the man he wanted to be. London became his next destination.