img021 Ferdinand Hodler (1853-1918)

The composition presents a seated female figure dominating the central space, set against a backdrop of stylized foliage and vibrant poppies. The woman is rendered with elongated features and flowing, fiery red hair that cascades down her shoulders and torso. She wears a simple white garment, loosely draped around her form, which emphasizes her slender build. Her gaze is directed downwards, focused on a single poppy she holds delicately in her hand.
The color palette is striking; the intense reds of the poppies contrast sharply with the cool greens of the background vegetation and the pale whites of the woman’s clothing. This juxtaposition creates a visual tension that draws attention to the central figure and the flower she cradles. The artist employed broad, flat planes of color, minimizing detail and contributing to an overall sense of symbolic weight rather than realistic representation.
Below the seated figure, a smaller depiction shows a reclining male form lying in what appears to be water or a shallow pool. This lower scene is rendered with similar stylistic conventions – simplified forms and a limited palette – but its muted tones create a distinct separation from the vibrancy above. The placement of this figure suggests a narrative connection to the woman, perhaps representing loss, memory, or a past relationship.
The arrangement of poppies throughout the composition – both as individual blooms and in clusters – introduces an additional layer of meaning. Poppies are often associated with sleep, remembrance, and even death, which could reinforce the melancholic mood conveyed by the seated figure’s posture and downward gaze. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation and a sense of profound sadness or mourning, where the woman seems to be processing a significant loss while surrounded by symbols of fragility and transience.