Le Réveil 1891

Anders Zorn created the etching “Le Réveil” during a time when art was undergoing significant shifts in representation and the portrayal of the female form. The image captures a woman seemingly interrupted during sleep, a moment of vulnerability made visible. Zorn, a Swedish artist, often depicted women in intimate settings, which at the time was part of a broader interest in exploring domestic life and personal experiences in art. However, these images existed within a patriarchal society where the female body was often objectified. Zorn’s choice to focus on such personal moments invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in the act of looking. How does the representation of a woman in a private, unguarded state engage with societal expectations and moral judgements? The delicate lines of the etching capture the subtle shift from sleep to wakefulness. The image compels us to reflect on the boundaries between privacy and exposure, and how these boundaries are shaped by cultural norms.