Anders Zorn Swedish 1860-1920

The Concoran Gallery, Washington

Gerda Boëthius, Zorn: Tecknaren, Målaren, Etsaren, Skulptören, Stockholm, 1949, p. 552, catalogued (as dating to 1910), pp. 488 & 494, discussed
Cecilia Lengefeld, Zorn: Resor, konst och kommers i Tyskland, 2000, p. 212, discussed; p. 214, illustrated

Original canvas. Apart from some retouching to the left edge of the canvas corresponding to frame abrasions, a spot of retouching newar the upper left corner and another spot towards the centre right edge, visible under ultraviolet light, this work is in very good condition. Held in a simple black wooden frame.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Diplomat and historian David Jayne Hill was born in Plainfield, New Jersey in 1850.  He graduated from Bucknell University in 1874, and served there as professor of rhetoric from 1877 to 1879, and for eight years thereafter as its president. From 1888 to 1896 he was president of the University of Rochester.

After several years spent in Europe studying international law and diplomacy he became Assistant Secretary of State 1898-1903; United States Minister to Switzerland in 1903 and Minister to Holland in 1905. From 1908 to 1911 he was Ambassador to Germany. An unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate in 1914, he was professor of European diplomacy in the School of Comparative Jurisprudence and Diplomacy at Washington and was a member of the Permanent Administrative Council of The Hague Tribunal.

During World War I, and especially after the participation of the United States, he wrote much in criticism of the attitude of the Democratic administration toward the war. In July, 1920 he was chairman of the Republican State Convention in New York. Among his writings are: Life of Washington Irving (1904); The Contemporary Development of Diplomacy (1904); World Organization as Affected by the Nature of the Modern State (1911); A History of Diplomacy in the International Development of Europe (1905 – 1914); Rebuilding of Europe (1917).