Basic Information

Historical Context

Painted near the end of Zorn's life (he died in 1920), this work represents his return to Swedish rural subjects after decades of international success. During World War I, while Sweden maintained neutrality, this painting represented an idealized, timeless Sweden. Content Description A young woman seated at a wooden table, peeling potatoes. She wears traditional Swedish folk costume -- gray dress, white collar, distinctive red stockings visible beneath her hem, red hair ribbon. Head bowed in concentration. Small window at right provides primary light source. Large metal basin with potatoes. Signed "Zorn 1918." Artistic Analysis The "Zorn Palette" reaches its zenith here -- limited colors (blacks, grays, browns, plus red accents and golden window light) creating remarkable visual richness. The red stockings and hair ribbon are Zorn's signature color accents. The single window light source creates sculptural chiaroscuro. This painting represents the culmination of Zorn's artistic achievement.