Study c. 1900

Anders Zorn made this study using graphite on paper; it is currently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago. The drawing captures a seated figure at a piano, rendered with a striking economy of line. The swift, assured strokes define the subject’s form and the instrument with minimal detail. Zorn masterfully balances suggestion and precision. The composition is structured around a contrast between the solidity of the figure and the airy, open space surrounding her. Note the textural differences achieved through varying the density and direction of the graphite marks; these create a sense of depth and volume. The use of line is not merely descriptive but also expressive, capturing the dynamic interplay between light and shadow. By reducing the scene to its essential elements, Zorn invites us to contemplate the underlying structure and rhythm of both the visual and musical scene.