The Bosphorus inspired Zorn to try painting in an impressionist style – masterpiece in Bukowskis December sale

One of the first Swedish examples of impressionism was created by the painter Anders Zorn in Istanbul on a visit there towards the end of the 1880s. He portrayed a man rowing an open boat on the Bosphorus. The painting is to be sold at Bukowskis December Sale on 13 December 2016. The estimate is 7 – 9 million SEK.

When Anders Zorn painted a man rowing an open boat on the Bosphorus [Kajakroddare] in 1886 he was 26 years old and newly married to Emma Lamm who came from a wealthy family that opened many doors for Zorn’s work as an artist, not least in making it possible for him to travel at will. The years immediately following the wedding are reckoned as Zorn’s most important period as an artist and it was at this time that he came into contact with French impressionism.

Kajakroddare – the man rowing an open boat – is a highly interesting painting from several points of view. In spite of it capturing a moment of evening sunlight it is very carefully calculated with the other boat gliding along in the background. Zorn probably made use of a photograph in order to make a detailed study of the man, the movement and the light; a technique he borrowed from the Impressionists. The play of light on the water Zorn captured like no Swedish artist had done before according to art historian Hans Henrik Brummer.

The painting will be one of the main features of Bukowskis new ‘December Sale’ featuring a selected group of masterpieces regardless of their period.

We thought that it was time to try something new. This will enable our visitors to experience the best of the best in a concentrated form in our newly renovated rooms at Berzelii Park in Stockholm. Nowadays many collectors do not restrict themselves to specific periods but are primarily interested in quality, Andreas Rydén, head art specialist at Bukowskis comments.

December Sale

Viewing: 7 – 12 December 2016
Auction: 13 December

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