In Werner's Rowing Boat 1917

Anders Zorn made "In Werner's Rowing Boat" with oil paint and, like, a whole lotta confidence. The colors are so warm and the brushstrokes are super visible, which gives it this feeling of being alive, of just being made. Looking closer, you can see how Zorn builds up the surface, especially in the skin tones. It's like he's not just painting a body, but also the light and the air around it. The little dabs of pink and yellow make the skin seem warm. There's a real contrast with the cool blues of the water in the background. And have you noticed how her feet look like they’re gripping the bottom of the boat? It’s this tiny detail that makes it seem so real. Zorn’s paintings always remind me a bit of John Singer Sargent. Both of them were so good at capturing a moment, an impression, with just a few strokes. It's like they were having a conversation about how to see, how to feel, and then they painted it. And in the end, isn't that what art is all about?