Ferdinand Hodler
Ferdinand Hodler (1853–1918) was a Swiss painter and one of the most significant figures of Symbolism and Swiss modernism. Born in Bern, Hodler initially trained as a decorative painter but soon shifted his focus to landscapes and figure compositions that expressed his deep interest in themes of life, death, and transcendence. His early work showed the influence of Realism, but over time, Hodler developed a more symbolic and decorative style, marked by rhythmic compositions, simplified forms, and bold color contrasts.
Hodler’s later works, particularly his monumental figure paintings, are imbued with a sense of spiritual and existential contemplation. His ability to fuse symbolic content with striking visual forms made him one of the leading modernist painters of his time. Hodler’s works are now housed in numerous Swiss collections, including the Kunstmuseum Bern and the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire in Geneva.
-
Full Name: Ferdinand Hodler
-
Birth and Death: 1853–1918
-
Profession: Painter
-
Influences: Symbolism, Swiss Modernism
-
Legacy: One of Switzerland’s most prominent Symbolist painters, Hodler’s works are preserved in major Swiss museums like the Kunstmuseum Bern.
