Lawyer Wade 1890

Anders Zorn created this etching, titled "Lawyer Wade," during a period of significant social and political change. Looking at the composition, the emphasis on the figure's hand suggests the importance of legal professions in shaping social norms in Europe at this time. Zorn was a Swedish artist, and the etching likely reflects the socio-political values of the late 19th and early 20th century Europe, a period marked by industrialization, urbanization, and the rise of the middle class. The legal profession was becoming increasingly important in regulating these new social forces. The use of etching, a technique allowing for detailed and precise lines, further emphasizes the meticulousness associated with legal work. To fully understand this image, it would be helpful to research the Swedish legal system of the time, the role of lawyers in society, and the broader artistic context in which Zorn was working. The meaning of this artwork is rooted in its social and institutional context, which historians can help us to uncover.