Maud Cassel (Mrs. Ashley) 1898

This is Anders Zorn’s print of Maud Cassel, later Mrs. Ashley. Zorn was a master of etching, a printmaking technique that involves biting lines into a metal plate with acid, inking the plate, and then pressing it onto paper. Look closely, and you can see the etched lines that define the form. The crispness of the etched line allowed for incredible detail, evident in the textures of Mrs. Ashley's dress and the soft shadows around her. Zorn was incredibly skilled at manipulating the etching process to create a sense of depth and volume. He was able to suggest the nuances of light and shadow with a remarkable economy of line. The finished print is more than just a reproduction; it is a testament to Zorn’s virtuosity as a draughtsman and printmaker. Ultimately, Zorn’s work reminds us that the value of a piece is not just in its image, but also in the labor, skill, and tradition that go into its making.