One hundred years ago, Anders Zorn (1860 – 1920) was among Europe’s most celebrated artists. Kings, presidents, and cultural figures lined up to have their portraits painted by the famous Swede, and his etchings commanded prices higher than those of almost any other artist. Born in the little parish of Mora, situated in the deep forest of Sweden, Zorn soon achieved great international success.

As a portrait painter, he was especially in demand in the United Stat es, where he had a following that not only appreciated his refined, sophisticated style, but was also willing to pay extremely high sums to be painted by him. During his seven trips to America Zorn created one hundred portraits; among the subjects were three presidents: Grover Cleveland, William Howard Taft, and Theodore Roosevelt. Zorn also became a close friend of the voracious art collector Isabella Stewart Gardner. In 1896, after eight years in Paris, Anders Zorn and his wife Emma (née Lamm) moved home to Sweden and Mora. Her, Zorn devoted himself to subject matters from his native area, pictures that re present a rural culture that seems to be resistant to change.

By virtue of his social standing and his financial resources, Zorn was able to provide inspiration, collect objects and donate money to various projects in the Mora region. He contributed greatly to the preservation of folk culture, to music and dance, woodwork and textile handicrafts. In the Zorn House, the couple’s home in Mora, artistic crafts from Dalarna were boldly mixed with items of great value acquired from abroad: woven tapestries, objects in silver, antique marble sculptures, and paintings by old masters.

Dr. Johan Cederlund, Museum Director at the Zorn Museum, will give a presentation of the works, life, and legacy of Anders Zorn.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 | 7pm | SOLD OUT

This program is presented in partnership with The New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art.

Immediately following the talk SWEA Boston will host a reception with coffee and treats.

Dr. Johan Cederlund (born 1963) received his Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Lund Sweden, and studied at the Centre Ledoux, Université de Paris I, Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris.

Formerly Chief Curator of the Uppsala University Art Collections, he is since 2006 Director of the Zorn Museum in Mora, Sweden.

Between 2011 and 2020, he was Adjunct Professor at Uppsala University. He has written several books about eighteenth-century Swedish architecture, i.e. Classical Swedish Architecture 1650-1840 (2007), as well about Sweden’s master painter, Anders Zorn.

Dr. Cederlund has also served as a Royal Chamberlain to the King of Sweden since 2016, where he serves HM The King’s Household, HM The Queens Household, HRH The Crown Princess’s Household, HM The King’s Royal Stables, The Office of Ceremonies and the Royal Household.