Early Life and Career

Ferdinand Hodler, a Swiss painter, was born on March 14, 1853, in Bern, Switzerland. His early works were characterized by portraits, landscapes, and genre paintings in a realistic style. However, he later adopted a personal form of symbolism, which he termed "parallelism."

The Evolution of Hodler's Style

As Hodler's career progressed, his work evolved to combine influences from various genres, including Symbolism and Art Nouveau. In 1890, he completed Night , a painting that marked his turn towards symbolist imagery. This piece, which features several recumbent figures, was initially met with controversy but eventually gained favorable attention in Paris.

Notable Works and Collections

* The Day (1893), a large-scale historical painting, is a notable example of Hodler's work. This piece, showcased at the Kunsthaus Zürich, demonstrates his unique blend of symbolism and realism. * The Museum Kunsthaus Zürich, Switzerland, features an impressive collection of Hodler's works, including Truth II (1897), which can be viewed on [https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3B4GT](https://WahooArt.com/Art.nsf/O/A@D3B4GT).

Legacy and Influence

Hodler's adoption of symbolism and his development of "parallelism" have had a lasting impact on the art world. His work can be seen as a precursor to Expressionism, with its emphasis on strongly colored and geometrical figures.

• Ferdinand Hodler's biography is available on WahooArt, providing an in-depth look at his life and artistic evolution.
• The history of the nude in art, which has been a subject of interest throughout Hodler's career, can be explored further on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_nude_in_art](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_nude_in_art).

Key Dates

* 1853: Born in Bern, Switzerland * 1890: Completed Night , marking his turn towards symbolist imagery * 1918: Passed away on May 19 Recommended Reading: For a deeper understanding of Hodler's work and the context in which he created it, explore the following links: * [https://WahooArt.com/@@/D3XNX9-Ferdinand-Hodler-The-Day](https://WahooArt.com/@@/D3XNX9-Ferdinand-Hodler-The-Day) to view The Day (1893) * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Hodler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Hodler) for a comprehensive biography of Ferdinand Hodler * [https://WahooArt.com/@/Ferdinand-Hodler](https://WahooArt.com/@/Ferdinand-Hodler) for an extensive collection of his works and a detailed biography.