Anders Leonard Zorn was one of the most prominent artists Sweden has ever produced, Anders Zorn was a painter and sculptor best known for his nude studies and portraits. Considered to be among the most talented painters of the late 19th century, his paintings were characterized by certain expressiveness that is hard to convey in words. He possessed the ability to capture the character and personality of the subjects he painted on his canvas, such was the scale of his artistic abilities. Though best known for his nudes, he was equally skilled at painting portraits, especially of the common, working class. Born as the illegitimate son of a working class woman, life was not particularly easy for the young Anders. He had never met his father though the man had acknowledged him as his son and given him his name. From a young age Anders was fascinated by all forms of art and displayed artistic abilities. Through his determination and sheer hard work he rose from his humble beginnings to become one of the most famous artists to have been born in Sweden. His rags to riches story culminated in a fairy-tale ending when he met and fell in love with a beautiful girl from a wealthy family. The ensuing marriage to his lady love proved lucky for him and he went on to achieve international fame as an artist.