Basic Information

Historical Context

One of Zorn's most representative works, depicting a young woman from the Dalarna region wading in a stream. 1889 was a pivotal year as Zorn transitioned from watercolor to oil painting. This painting combines his deep affection for his homeland's people with his masterful technique for rendering water and reflected light. Content Description A young woman in traditional Swedish folk costume stands in a shallow stream. She wears a white blouse, red bodice, dark reddish-brown skirt (gathered up with her right hand to keep dry), white apron, and an embroidered shoulder bag. Her head is covered with a red patterned headscarf. She wades barefoot, gaze directed downward at the water. The water surface is rendered with remarkable skill -- translucent brown tones with white highlights catching light on moving ripples. The background features lush green vegetation and distant wooden structures. The entire scene is bathed in summer sunlight. Artistic Analysis This painting is a prime example of Zorn's perfect integration of figure and environment. The water surface demonstrates Zorn's reputation as one of art history's greatest painters of water -- rapid, confident brushstrokes (wet-into-wet technique) of white, ochre, and brown create the moving transparency and sparkling light reflections. The figure's skin tones show Zorn's famous "Zorn Palette" at its finest -- warm pinks and cool reflected greens creating living, breathing flesh that harmonizes with the surroundings. This painting represents the highest achievement of Zorn's fusion of French Impressionist technique with Nordic Realist subject matter.