Standing Model 1901

Anders Zorn created this print, Standing Model, using etching techniques. The composition is immediately striking. Vertical lines dominate, from the backdrop to the shadows. The contrast of dark and light engraves depth into the figure, drawing the eye to the model's form, and adding texture to the setting. Here, the nude is not merely a representation of the human body; it is a study in form, light and shadow, lines and texture. The artist challenges traditional academic approaches by engaging with the materiality of the print-making. The rough, expressive lines create a sense of immediacy. The body becomes an object of artistic exploration rather than idealised beauty. This approach reflects a broader shift in art where the process and the material become central to the artwork's meaning. As you consider this artwork, reflect on how Zorn uses the visual language of etching to convey new attitudes of space and form.