Nude Figure Standing Near a Bed 1900 - 1903

Anders Zorn made this drawing of a nude figure standing near a bed using graphite on paper. Look closely, and you’ll notice how Zorn's mark-making is really expressive; the figure is built up with these energetic, almost scribbled lines. The shading around the figure isn't about making it look real, but more about creating a vibe, an atmosphere. It’s not so much about capturing a likeness, but about a feeling. The texture is all in the varying pressure of the pencil, some lines dark and assertive, others light and tentative. The way Zorn uses these hatching marks, especially around the figure’s legs, is really interesting. They’re not just shading; they’re creating a sense of volume, of the figure emerging from the background. It reminds me of Klimt, with his love of line and decoration. Both artists share a similar focus on the body. It's less about perfection and more about the beauty of the imperfect. Art is always an ongoing conversation, isn’t it?