Artwork
Precipice
Precipice is an ink print by Anders Zorn. It dates from 1909 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:"Zorn" lower right margin, graphite, artist's hand. "19Zorn09" lower right composition, in plate, artist's hand. "Braddjup" verso, lower right margin, graphite, artist's hand.
- Markings
- Marked:"LRJ" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1760b). "National Gallery of Art" verso, black stamped ink, (Lugt 1932d). "Galerie Heinemann, München. / 10700" verso, upper left margin, stamp.
About this work
Overview
Anders Zorn's 1909 etching, Precipice, portrays a solitary nude female figure standing at the edge of a steep cliff, gazing downward toward the water.
Anders Zorn's 1909 etching, Precipice, portrays a solitary nude female figure standing at the edge of a steep cliff, gazing downward toward the water. The composition utilizes the artist's characteristic limited palette of black ink and white paper to create stark contrasts. Zorn renders the woman's form with subtle, fluid lines that emphasize her contemplative posture and the shift of weight onto one leg, conveying a sense of stillness and introspection.
In contrast, the surrounding landscape, specifically the cliff face and the water below, is defined by dark, vigorous, and expressive hatching that suggests rugged texture and depth. Executed on Van Gelder laid paper, this work exemplifies Zorn's mastery of the etching medium during his mature period, where he frequently explored the human figure in natural settings. The piece reflects his ability to balance the delicate modeling of the human body with the dramatic, atmospheric rendering of the environment, a hallmark of his graphic output in the early 20th century.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure stands with her weight shifted onto a single leg, gazing outward toward the expanse of water below. The pose suggests a moment of introspection, as the viewer is invited to consider the tension between the vulnerability of the nude form and the vast, open landscape that stretches toward the horizon.
Technique & Style
Zorn employed traditional intaglio methods, using fine lines to delineate the cliff and water while allowing the woman's body to emerge through softer, more nuanced shading. The contrast between the expressive, darker strokes of the environment and the delicate rendering of flesh demonstrates Zorn’s command of tonal variation within the etching medium.
History & Provenance
Created in 1909, Precipice is part of Zorn’s later print output, a period when he explored the interplay of figure and landscape. The work is executed on Van Gelder laid paper, a high‑quality substrate favored by the artist for its smooth surface and ability to hold fine detail, though specific ownership records beyond its initial sale remain limited.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Anders Leonard Zorn was a Swedish artist who attained international success as a painter, sculptor, and etching artist.
