Zorn's Water

I really wanted to see what some of the masters have done to represent water in their painting on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, so I took a field trip downtown.

The Girl from Alvdalen, c. 1911, Anders Zorn; oil on canvas.  Painting on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

The first painting of water to catch my interest was the painting above, by Anders Zorn.  He was a Swedish painter who lived from 1860 to 1920.  At the turn of the century, folks like Henry Ford were streamlining processes and moving the world, full steam ahead, in industrialism.  At this same time, Sweden was rekindling a passion for nationalism, and working hard to preserve and represent their cultural heritage.  Zorm '...often featured local females at their work in the field or in the home."

Although I appreciate the authenticy of the native costuming, it is the water that I spent a lot of time studying.  The way Zorn has captured the shadows, , movement and transparency of the water is facinating.

Note in the closer details below, how he has allowed the ripples in the water to distort the shape of the feet submerged in the water.

Anders Zorn, The Girl from Alvdalen, c. 1911, oil on canvas.  Click on image to enlarge. 

When I was able to get very close to the painting (OK, not REALLY close, afterall, it is a museum, with uniformed security, etc.) the white brush strokes where the brightest light is reflected, makes the painting look much more 2 dimensional.  It was very encouraging to see this wonderful painting both up close and from across the gallery, to fully appreciate the impact of distance and perspective on the image.

The last time I was at the MIA, there was a painting by a Norwegian painter that showed water in a canal.  I went looking for that one next.