The Cousins 1883

Anders Zorn made this artwork, "The Cousins," using etching techniques. The print presents us with a study in contrasts and textures, composed primarily in monochrome, which lends a timeless quality to the piece. Notice the varying densities of the etched lines that create a rich tapestry of light and shadow across the composition. The figures of the cousins emerge from a backdrop of vertical lines, with the texture of their dresses and hair rendered with meticulous detail. One cousin looks out, while the other coyly holds a fan. The fan is more than a mere prop. The semiotic reading of a fan suggests hidden emotions, desires, or secrets. It’s a tool to both reveal and conceal. The structural use of the fan challenges the viewer; what is hidden, and what is revealed? The artist masterfully uses this interplay of openness and concealment to suggest a narrative beyond the visual, inviting ongoing interpretation.