37536 Ferdinand Hodler (1853-1918)

The canvas presents a procession of four female figures arranged in a frieze-like composition against a backdrop of stylized foliage and a warm, earthy ground. The artist has employed a limited palette dominated by shades of blue, pink, and ochre, contributing to an overall sense of heightened emotional intensity rather than realistic representation.
The women are draped in flowing garments that cling loosely to their bodies, revealing the contours of their forms while simultaneously obscuring them. Their poses suggest movement; they appear to be walking or gliding across the space, each figure slightly offset from the next, creating a rhythmic visual flow. The faces are rendered with elongated features and an almost vacant expression, devoid of individualized characterization. This lack of specificity contributes to a sense of universality – these figures seem less like individuals and more like archetypes.
The background is characterized by a dense pattern of small, circular forms – likely intended as stylized flowers or foliage – that create a textured surface and contribute to the painting’s decorative quality. The ground plane slopes gently upward towards the horizon line, further emphasizing the processions forward momentum.
Subtly, there exists an interplay between vulnerability and strength. While the women are exposed through their garments, they also possess a certain dignity in their posture and bearing. The repetition of forms and poses suggests themes of ritual or cyclical time – a recurring pattern of existence. The limited emotional range conveyed by the faces could be interpreted as either serenity or detachment, adding to the painting’s enigmatic quality.
The compositions flatness, achieved through a lack of traditional perspective and depth cues, reinforces the sense that this is not intended as a literal depiction but rather an exploration of form, color, and emotion within a symbolic framework.