Selfportrait Ferdinand Hodler (1853-1918)

The portrait presents a man facing directly toward the viewer. He is positioned centrally within the composition, commanding immediate attention. The artist has employed a palette dominated by ochre, yellow, and brown tones, which imbue the figure with a sense of intensity and perhaps even unease. The skin appears flushed, rendered in broad strokes that suggest heat or agitation.
The man’s facial features are exaggerated; his eyes are wide and seemingly unblinking, conveying an expression that oscillates between apprehension and scrutiny. A thick, dark beard obscures much of the lower portion of his face, adding to a sense of anonymity while simultaneously emphasizing the prominence of his brow and forehead. The hair is cropped short and appears somewhat disheveled.
The clothing – a dark jacket over a white shirt – is rendered with less detail than the face, serving primarily as a backdrop that further accentuates the subject’s features. The brushwork throughout the painting is loose and expressive, contributing to an overall feeling of immediacy and emotional rawness. Theres a deliberate lack of softening or idealization; instead, the artist seems intent on capturing a moment of intense psychological exposure.
Subtly, theres a sense of vulnerability conveyed through the direct gaze and the unflinching portrayal of emotion. The exaggerated features could be interpreted as an exploration of inner turmoil or a commentary on the pressures faced by individuals in a rapidly changing world. The painting doesn’t offer easy answers; rather, it invites contemplation about identity, perception, and the complexities of human experience.