DISCOVERART

Anders Zorn

Mrs. Potter Palmer

1893
Oil on canvas
258 × 141.2 cm (101.6 × 55.6 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

● On view now — Gallery 273

Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · verified July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This portrait shows Bertha Palmer holding the ivory gavel she used to preside over meetings of the Board of Lady Managers for the World’s Columbian Exposition, which opened in Chicago in 1893. The board, with Palmer as president, was responsible for organizing the Women’s Building at the fair. Palmer requested Swedish portraitist Anders Zorn for this painting because his impressionistic style was in keeping with her taste as a collector, which was considered radical at the time. While organizing the Exposition, Palmer traveled through Europe acquiring Impressionist works, including several on view in this gallery.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Anders Zorn

Mrs. John Crosby Brown (Mary Elizabeth Adams, 1842–1918)Mrs. John Crosby Brown (Mary Elizabeth Adams, 1842–1918)Frieda Schiff (1876–1958), Later Mrs. Felix M. WarburgFrieda Schiff (1876–1958), Later Mrs. Felix M. WarburgSkerikullaSkerikullaMrs. Walter Rathbone Bacon (Virginia Purdy Barker, 1862–1919)Mrs. Walter Rathbone Bacon (Virginia Purdy Barker, 1862–1919Maria Sheldon ScammonMaria Sheldon ScammonNude Lying On BedNude Lying On BedEdward R. Bacon (1846–1915)Edward R. Bacon (1846–1915)SevilleSeville

More like this

Portrait of Lisa Colt CurtisJohn Singer Sargent (American, born Italy, 1856–1925) — PortMrs. George Swinton (Elizabeth Ebsworth)John Singer Sargent — Mrs. George Swinton (Elizabeth EbswortMadame Paul Escudier (Louise Lefevre)John Singer Sargent — Madame Paul Escudier (Louise Lefevre)Souvenir of an "International Ball" (Portrait of Miss Kathleen Bruce)Charles Hasslewood Shannon (British, 1863–1937) — Souvenir oMrs. William Astor (Caroline Webster Schermerhorn, 1831–1908)Carolus-Duran (Charles-Auguste-Emile Durant) — Mrs. William Jonge vrouw, uitkijkend over zeeIsaac Israels — Jonge vrouw, uitkijkend over zeeStudy of Sijtje van Bemmel (1880-1963)Jozef Israëls — Study of Sijtje van Bemmel (1880-1963)Young Woman in BlackRobert Henri — Young Woman in BlackThe ToiletJames McNeill Whistler — The ToiletThe ToiletJames McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903) — The ToiletMrs. Charles Gifford Dyer (Mary Anthony)John Singer Sargent — Mrs. Charles Gifford Dyer (Mary AnthonUntitled (Woman)Albert de Belleroche (British, 1864–1944) — Untitled (Woman)