The Cousins

Art Historical Context

Anders Zorn's *The Cousins* (1883) is a captivating etching from the artist's early career, showcasing prodigious talent at just 23 years old. third state of three, as cataloged by Asplund, measures a substantial plate size of 17 7/16 × 10 15/16 inches, printed on a larger sheet. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Drawings and Prints department through the bequest of Blanche S. in 1953, it exemplifies Zorn's mastery ofmaking during a time when etchings bridged fine art and reproductive techniques. The work likely depicts two women—perhaps relatives—gracefully holding fans, evoking the refined social customs of late 19th-century Europe. Fans were not mere accessories but symbols of femininity, coyness, and status, often featured in portraits to convey subtle narratives of leisure and intimacy. Zorn, a Swedish virtuoso known for his Impressionist-influenced realism, employed intricate etching lines to capture the delicate textures of fabric, skin, and feather-light fans, achieving a luminous quality rare in the medium. This piece highlights Zorn's innovative approach to etching, blending technical precision with atmospheric depth, which propelled his international fame. For visitors, *The Cousins* offers a window into Victorian-era elegance and the artistry of a master printmaker whose works continue to enchant.

About the Artist

Anders Zorn · 1860–1920

Anders Zorn (1860–1920), one of Sweden's most celebrated artists, was born on February 18 in Utmeland near Mora in Dalarna, and raised on his maternal grandparents' farm in the nearby hamlet of Yvraden. Displaying prodigious talent from a young age, he attended school in Mora Strand until age twelve, followed by secondary grammar school in Enköping, where he excelled in drawing people and horses. ...