img027 Ferdinand Hodler (1853-1918)

The painting presents a solitary female figure positioned centrally within a vertical composition. She is viewed from behind, her body turned slightly towards the viewer, and her head angled over her left shoulder. Her hair, dark and styled in loose waves, frames her face partially obscured by the turn of her head. The woman wears a long, flowing blue garment that drapes around her form, suggesting movement and grace. Her arms are raised, hands extended outward as if reaching or gesturing towards something beyond the frame.
The background is dominated by an expansive, warm-toned area – a blend of orange and yellow hues – that lacks distinct features, creating a sense of vastness or perhaps an ambiguous space. At the figure’s feet, a low-lying terrain is suggested through patches of green and white, interspersed with small, indistinct floral elements. A cluster of rocks occupies the lower right corner, adding textural contrast to the otherwise smooth expanse.
The color palette is restrained but impactful. The blue of the garment provides a stark visual anchor against the warm background, drawing attention to the figure’s presence. The limited range of colors contributes to an overall feeling of melancholy or introspection.
Subtextually, the work evokes themes of longing and isolation. The womans posture – her turned head and outstretched arms – suggests a desire for connection or perhaps a reaching towards something unattainable. Her solitary position within the expansive background reinforces this sense of detachment. The ambiguous nature of the backdrop invites speculation about her surroundings; is she on the edge of a precipice, gazing at an unseen vista, or trapped within a symbolic landscape?
The painting’s vertical format and simplified forms contribute to its formal austerity, emphasizing the figures emotional state over narrative detail. It appears less concerned with depicting a specific scene than with conveying a mood – one of quiet contemplation and perhaps a subtle sense of yearning.