Selfportrait Anders Zorn (1860-1920)

Here we observe a half-length portrait depicting a man turned slightly towards the viewer. The composition is tightly focused on his upper body and face, creating a sense of intimacy and immediacy. He wears what appears to be a dark cap or hat, its form rendered with loose brushstrokes that suggest texture and volume. A white shirt collar peeks out from beneath a dark jacket, adding a subtle contrast in color and detail.
The man holds a lit cigar between his fingers, the smoke curling upwards, contributing to an atmosphere of contemplation and perhaps a touch of melancholy. His expression is serious, almost stern; the gaze directed forward conveys a sense of introspection or quiet defiance. The artist employed a muted palette dominated by browns, grays, and blacks, which lends the work a somber and introspective quality.
The brushwork throughout is loose and expressive, characteristic of an impressionistic approach. Details are suggested rather than meticulously rendered, allowing for a certain ambiguity in interpretation. This technique contributes to the overall feeling of spontaneity and captures a fleeting moment in time. The background is indistinct, further emphasizing the subjects presence and drawing attention to his psychological state.
The inscription at the bottom left corner, though partially obscured, provides contextual information regarding the date and location of creation. It seems to suggest a self-aware positioning of the artist within a specific cultural or intellectual milieu. The overall effect is one of quiet dignity combined with an underlying sense of complexity and perhaps even weariness.