The Girl from Älvdalen

Anders Zorn

c. 1911

Oil on canvas

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A young woman in traditional clothing wades through a shallow, rocky stream. She is looking down at the water, and her bare feet are submerged. A young woman in traditional clothing wades through a shallow, rocky stream. She is looking down at the water, and her bare feet are submerged. At the turn of the 20th century, Sweden was swept by a wave of nationalism. This movement, which was partially a reaction to the rapid development of industrialism, was led and supported by writers, musicians, and artists who were keen to preserve the country's cultural heritage. In 1896, Anders Zorn moved to Mora, a picturesque village in central Sweden. Zorn sought to uphold the traditional culture of the region through his paintings of daily life and folk customs, which often featured loc