Sandhamn 1906

Anders Zorn made this etching, Sandhamn, using metal plate, mordant, and paper. In this process, the image is incised into a metal plate, acid-etched to deepen the lines, inked, and then printed onto paper, resulting in a reversed version of the original design. Here, the material—the very fine lines that the etcher is capable of making—influences the appearance of the work. Look closely, and you can see how these linear strokes create the composition's tonal range, the textures of the rocks and water, and the form of the figure. Etching is a relatively democratic medium, as prints can be editioned, allowing the artwork to be disseminated widely and sold at a lower price point. Zorn had to be a master draughtsman to achieve this level of control. The process involved a combination of technical skill and artistic vision. By exploring the possibilities of etching, Zorn blurred the boundaries between traditional fine art and craft, and democratized access to art, and to the female nude.