Queen Sophia of Sweden 1909

Curator: Anders Zorn created this etching, "Queen Sophia of Sweden." It’s currently part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: My first thought is how intimate it feels. The queen seems almost caught off guard, in a private moment of reflection, not a formal portrait. Curator: Zorn was known for his society portraits, but he often imbued them with a sense of immediacy and informality. It certainly challenges conventional royal portraiture. Editor: Exactly. And consider Sophia's reformist social views and her struggles with court life, this portrayal humanizes her in a way traditional portraits rarely did. The rough lines of the etching give it a raw, almost vulnerable quality. Curator: This technique—the loose, expressive lines—Zorn mastered early on. His etchings were celebrated for their suggestion of color, despite being monochrome. Editor: Right. Zorn uses the etching process to explore Sophia’s complex identity, nodding towards the socio-political environment that shaped her. What does it mean to depict a queen in repose, almost as though she is troubled by the weight of her responsibilities? Curator: It’s a fascinating question that speaks to Zorn's ability to capture not just likeness, but also a sense of character, within the constraints of his medium. Editor: I think it invites us to consider the burdens of power and the private lives of those who wield it. Curator: Indeed. It’s a powerful intersection of history, technique, and personal narrative. Editor: A potent reminder that even those in positions of power are multifaceted individuals shaped by their times.