Anders Zorn (Mora, 1860 - 1920, Mora)
The Large Brewery, 1890
Etching on wove paper, 26.8 x 36 cm (10 9/16 x 14 3/16 in.)
In this dark etching, seven women sit against the wall on the left. All of the women are wearing head scarves fastened around their necks, and each holds a label in her hands on her lap. Three large round objects, probably barrels, are against the back wall and in front of one of these, three other figures are visible.
Short Gallery
Commentary
In 1890, artist Anders Zorn painted and made prints of Swedish breweries, the businesses that made, bottled, and sold beer. The Large Brewery etching is modeled after a larger painted composition in the Gӧteborgs Konstemuseum.
Storing beer required cool temperatures, so breweries were often located in basements. The women in back form an assembly line of filling and corking bottles. Seated against the wall, seven women—all wearing the same style shiny wax apron—carefully apply labels to the beer bottles. Zorn captures light reflecting off a label by leaving a bright white spot on the heavily inked sheet.
Storing beer required cool temperatures, so breweries were often located in basements. The women in back form an assembly line of filling and corking bottles. Seated against the wall, seven women—all wearing the same style shiny wax apron—carefully apply labels to the beer bottles. Zorn captures light reflecting off a label by leaving a bright white spot on the heavily inked sheet.