Frances Folsom Cleveland (1899)
Technique: Giclée quality print
Recommended by our customers
More about this artwork
Anders Zorn's portrait of Frances Folsom Cleveland from 1899 captures the dignified grace and elegance of its subject with striking aplomb. Painted in an impressionistic style, the piece highlights Zorn's mastery in working with light and texture to portray not just the physical likeness, but the inner presence of his sitters.The painting depicts Frances Folsom Cleveland, wife of Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States, in a moment of serene repose. She is seated against a subtle, neutral background that gently melds into her gown, directing the viewer’s focus to her facial expression and the intricate detailing of her dress. Her gaze is direct and her posture, composed, creating a powerful yet intimate encounter with the viewer.Frances's dress is portrayed with loose brush strokes, giving the fabric a luminous and ethereal quality that contrasts with the more defined treatment of her face and hands. This technique not only illustrates Zorn’s skill as a painter but also enhances the overall impact of the portrait with a sense of liveliness and motion, amidst an otherwise static pose.Zorn's choice of palette—dominated by soft whites and muted tones—subtly reinforces the sophistication and quiet confidence of his subject.
Delivery
Returns
Anders Leonard Zorn (18 February 1860 – 22 August 1920) was a Swedish painter. He attained international success as a painter, sculptor, and etching artist. Among Zorn's portrait subjects include King Oscar II of Sweden and three American Presidents: Grover Cleveland, William H. Taft, and Theodore Roosevelt. At the end of his life, he established the Swedish literary Bellman Prize in 1920.