Basic Information

Historical Context

Painted during Zorn's Spanish period (1888-1889), this watercolor depicts a scene in the public gardens of Cadiz, likely the Alameda de Apodaca or Parque Genoves, overlooking the Bay of Cadiz. Content Description A white marble classical statue on an ornate stone pedestal with classical architectural details. The statue catches bright light, serving as the luminous focal point. Background features an iron balustrade, winter trees with intricate branches, distant white-sailed boats, and a small seated figure on a bench. Overcast sky in blue-grays. Signed "Zorn / Cadiz mars 89." Artistic Analysis This watercolor showcases Zorn's masterful plein-air technique. The contrast between the brilliant white statue and the gray atmosphere is the core visual element. Wet-on-wet for the sky, dry brush and gouache for the statue, reserved paper for the brightest lights. The composition uses the statue as vertical anchor, diagonal tree branches for framing, and the horizontal balustrade for middle-ground depth.