Berserk 1914

Anders Zorn made this etching called 'Berserk.' Zorn was part of a generation of artists who navigated the complexities of representing the female nude in a rapidly changing social landscape. The title 'Berserk' suggests a state of wild or destructive action, and it's interesting to consider how that might relate to the figure depicted. Is there a sense of inner turmoil or liberation being expressed? Many artists at the time were grappling with questions of female agency and representation. As traditional roles and expectations for women were being challenged, artists began to explore new ways of depicting female figures—not just as passive objects of beauty but as active, thinking, and feeling subjects. Zorn's work invites us to reflect on our own assumptions and biases around gender, sexuality, and the representation of the human body. How does this image challenge or reinforce traditional notions of beauty and power?