zorn palette

 Today’s post focuses on the humble yet sublime palette from In Wikström’s Studio painted by Anders Zorn in 1889. Layered earth tones of stone, clay and putty provide a subtle backdrop for his female subject’s luminous gold skin and vibrant red hair. To some, this palette may appear quite neutral, void of “color” if you will, but for me, this highly sophisticated canvas speaks to all that I love about color and texture. It has opened my eyes to an infinite number of artistic possibilities…

Feau & Cie

Mariann Johansen Ellis

photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna

Elephant Seal Mother and Pup ~ Yva Momatiuk and John Eastcott

photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna

Anne Packard

Photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna

Silk Road, Kyrgystan ~ Vincent Bonnin

Antique egg print

Feau & Cie

Winter ~ Arkhip Kuindzhi, 1895

Nicole Franzen via the gifts of life

Provins, France ~ Jules Gervais Courtellemont

hybridlava.com

Feau & Cie

Snow and Mist ~ John Atkinson Grimshaw

Jac for Valentino Fall/Winter 2012

Antique egg print

Libeco

Lioness, Kenya ~ Ramesh Ratwatte

via the gifts of life

pashtundukhtaree.tumblr via the gifts of life

Pamela Pierce

Dior Homme “Shadow” Fall/Winter 2012

Darryl Carter

Artists, Dordogne River ~ Jules Gervais Courtellemont

Haynes-Roberts

Pagoda Steps, Nepal ~ Bas Uterwijk

Charles Spada

African Spurred Tortoise ~ Glenn Nagel

Andy Newcom

Death Valley National Park ~ William Lee

Belstaff Spring/Summer 2013

Antique egg print

Photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna

Cheetah Cubs, South Africa ~Dumith Fernando

Bobby McAlpine

photography by danielle boudrot

Anders Zorn’s studio in Mora

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anders zorn at the gardner museum ~ a trio of firsts

“Anders Zorn: A European Artist Seduces America” is a remarkable trio of firsts. It is the first historic exhibition to be shown in the new Renzo Piano designed wing (The Hostetter Gallery) of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, it is the first show organized and realized by Oliver Tostmann, the museum’s new curator, and it is the first time in 25 years that an international loan exhibition of Zorn’s work is on display in the States.

“Too young to be an Impressionist, too old to be a Modernist,” declares Tostmann, this intimate collection highlights Zorn’s influential place in the history of modern art. Bold brushstrokes, along with a masterful understanding of light, bring his subjects to life in a way that feels uniquely timeless and far from the academic portraits of the time. Take for example his painting of Isabella Stewart Gardner. Adorned in a luminous white dress with arms widespread, her youthful zest for life pops off the canvas, as if she is saying, I love life, I love art, I love beauty!

Showing now through May 13, 2013 ~ for more information, click here

Self-Portrait, 1889, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Florence, Galleria degli Uffizi, Soprintendenza Speciale Per Il Polo Museale Fiorentino

Portrait of Isabella Stewart Gardner in Venice, 1894, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

Omnibus (study) – oil sketch, 1892, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Zorn Museum, Mora, Photo: Lars Bergland

The Omnibus, second version, 1892, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston

In Wikström’s Studio, 1889, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Zorn Museum, Mora, Photo: Patric Evinger

Opal, 1891, Anders Zorn (Swedish, 1860-1920), Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, Massachusetts

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