Colonel Lamont III (Bust) 1904

Editor: So, here we have Anders Zorn's etching, "Colonel Lamont III (Bust)" from 1904, currently at the Art Institute of Chicago. It's a fairly small print on paper, and it has this very direct, almost confrontational gaze. I am curious to learn more; how do you interpret this work from a formal perspective? Curator: A formal analysis of Zorn's etching directs our attention to the economy of line. Note the density of marks used to define the colonel's figure against a subtly rendered ground. Consider, also, the deployment of hatching, lending itself to building the structure of the volume portrayed and directing your eye through different speeds of rendition. Editor: It’s fascinating how much detail he achieves with what appears to be a relatively simple technique. Is it a conscious aesthetic choice? Curator: Undoubtedly. Zorn uses a complex system of tonal values achieved solely through the hatching process. Observe how the weight and directionality of the lines influence our understanding of the textures. It guides our reading. What details stand out to you most? Editor: I notice the lines become less rigid around the eyes, almost softer. It makes him seem more approachable. And I love how much contrast there is! Curator: Precisely. The artist creates a focal point through strategic application of shadow and highlight to shape and soften forms. In semiotic terms, the interplay between line and form is how Zorn conveys psychological depth. Do you find this depth achieved here through line sufficient? Editor: That's a great point. Now, thinking about how Zorn utilized this kind of formal quality does give the figure life, the type of presence the artist was seeking! I have such an expanded appreciation of printmaking now.