Hugo Reisinger 1907

Anders Zorn painted this portrait of Hugo Reisinger, and it seems to be made of the kind of brushstrokes that build up a form, not so different from how you might build with clay. Look at how the dark, fluid strokes define Reisinger's confident posture and rich, dark suit. The texture in this piece has this lovely balance of precision and looseness, especially in the face. It's like Zorn is feeling out the shapes and forms with each dab of the brush. See how the colors around the mouth and eyes aren't perfectly blended but rather, kind of work together? It’s an interesting way of creating depth. Thinking about this painting, I'm reminded of John Singer Sargent’s portraits, also capturing the spirit of an age. It's like artists are constantly in conversation with each other, trying out different ways to see and feel the world. Nothing is ever really settled.