Anders Zorn

Anders Zorn, a celebrated painter and printmaker, rose from modest beginnings to international fame. Born in Sweden in 1860 to a German brewer and a Swedish peasant, he was raised in Dalarna, where he developed a deep connection to his homeland. Despite his global success, he always felt most at home in Mora, where he settled in 1896. Zorn’s first visit to America in 1893 for the Chicago World’s Fair marked the beginning of his lasting admiration for the country. He resonated with American values of honesty and straightforwardness, quickly forming friendships with influential figures like Isabella Stewart Gardner and Charles Deering. His popularity soared, leading to exhibitions and commissions, including portraits of three U.S. presidents—Theodore Roosevelt, Grover Cleveland, and William Taft. His etchings were highly collected in the early 20th century.