Discovering Zorn
While reading in the comfort of my studio I came across the name: Zorn. I was immediately intrigued. The book I was reading mentioned him along with Sorolla and other world-known painter artists, so I was compelled to learn more. How could it be such an important author would have been hidden from my eager eyes? Yet, as much of what relates to Sweden, it is hidden or at least off the beaten path for us. Zorn must be discovered.
I quickly did some research in internet and what I found intrigued me even more. The images I found of his paintings beckoned total attention: bathing women, royal portraits, scenes from his native Dalarna region, all depicted in exquisite oils mostly, and some watercolors from the many foreign places he visited. My computer screen could not find enough resolution in the photos as to learn about his brushstroke, but it seemed delightfully loose and flowing. Anders Zorn’s name deserves to be printed in any list of great painters from early 20th century -you can quickly come to that conclusion if you are able to find some decent images of his work –which takes some effort. Most of what has been published about him is in Swedish language. Apparently he suffers from the same lack of exposure non-French impressionists do; the main reason perhaps being that his lifetime (1860-1920) took place in an era where French impressionism exerted large dominion on the artistic sphere. Although Zorn’s origin and main area of influence was Sweden, he lived in Spain and France and traveled to many countries, including the USA and even to México. He truly was a world citizen, traveling abroad with his wife during Spring and Fall; yet he was a man in love with his native Sweden, where he would return to spend the Summers.
Reading on and on, I became captivated by Zorn’s story. His beautiful paintings were impressive enough, but there was much more about the life of this man to interest me. He loved the world and traveled extensively, learning as much as he could, but he had a passion for his own village of Mora, where he purchased some land, built a remarkable home and brought back all kinds of modern advances to share, such as the telephone and the water heater. Also, in the early days of aviation, he purchased an airplane and donated it to Sweden’s armed forces. What a man! He learned globally but then shared his knowledge, acting locally, at grassroots level. To my mind he was quite a visionary, since this is what we need to do now to save our world, in this new century.
By the time I turned off my computer I was restless. Ever since I became involved in ecological work to defend my own town of Nuevo Vallarta, I had heard a lot about the Swedes. They have become prominent in the defense of nature and society. Enough to make me wish to visit… so I went to bed dreaming with faraway travel. Next morning I started checking on flights to Sweden and even on their Summer weather. Although Vallarta is close to paradise, staying here in during the Summer is almost as extreme as spending long winters in Scandinavia. Perhaps it was the heat that got to me, but I went ahead and bought family tickets to arrive in Stockholm in the middle of July. From there we took a train to the town of Mora. Rolling our small luggage from the station we walked to our hotel, on streets that shone brightly, reflecting the golden afternoon sun after the rain. The air was cool and everything was clean and glittered. It could not have been more beautiful as well as convenient: the museum was right in front on a park, where a statue of the famous painter presided overall and a short walk down the street you could see the entrance to the Zorn museum. I could not wait. For me this was the highlight of the trip, so I soon called the museum asking for an appointment. I wanted to arrange a guided visit and an interview and all I could ask to learn the most I could during one day. Mrs. Karin Högberg was in charge during that week, substituting the Museum Director, Mr. Johan Cederlund. The small town convenience: Although the museum was quite busy, I got a personal appointment for next morning and everything I asked for including an exclusively guided tour. Mrs. Högberg was very kind helpful and knowledgeable. She even searched for information regarding Anders visit to Mexico. I was able to see Zorn’s paintings as closely as he did. A large proportion of what he painted is displayed here, although “Les demoiselles Schwartz” a favorite which I here reproduce is in the Louvre. Several others are present in famous museums; most portraits, which made for Zorn’s success among the European nobility, are in private collections. I was able to inspect each brushstroke at my leisure (which they will not let you do in large city museums; I get constant reprimands from the Metropolitan in NYC). Yet, another of my favorites “Emma Zorn i Parisateljén” was in Mora. Studying this piece at large was my delight. It made me think of my own wife endeavoring to sell my paintings.
The Zorn museum is adjacent to his home, and to two ancient wooden cottages constructed in the Viking style, which the painter himself had transported and rebuilt on the site, using one for his studio. The visit to the home provides much insight into the benevolent minds of Emma and Anders. Having had no children, she decided to donate the property to Sweden on condition that fresh flowers be constantly present all over her house, as well as fresh water for the dogs, even if now there aren’t any. Emma died in 1942.
I came back home happy, carrying many books on Zorn. Now I will have to learn some Swedish. I keep thinking how wonderful the trip turned out and how much there was left still to be seen: the region of Dalarna is also the home of the museum of Carl Larsson, another famous Swedish painter and of many artists. One would wish the airfare would be less expensive, then we art-lovers could spend the Summers in Dalarna and our Swedish friends could escape their very cold winter season by enjoying our beautiful Vallarta beaches, jungle and natural diversity. Utmost convenience.Email to a friend.
Federico León de La Vega
E-mail: federico@estudiocafe.net
Wevsite: estudiocafe.com
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Author Note: This is a chapter of a book I am writing about my adventures as a painter artist.
The Federico León de la Vega Estudo – Café is open to the public and is located in Paseo de la Marina 31, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sundays from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
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