#37499 Ferdinand Hodler (1853-1918)

The painting presents a female figure in a three-quarter pose, her gaze directed slightly off-center and upward. She is depicted from the chest upwards, with her arms crossed over her breasts, partially covered by a draped blue cloth. The artist employed a palette dominated by cool tones – blues, purples, and whites – punctuated by touches of yellow and red that introduce visual warmth.
The figure’s face exhibits an expression that is difficult to definitively categorize; it suggests a mixture of introspection and perhaps a touch of melancholy. Her features are rendered with a degree of simplification, characteristic of expressive modern styles. The hair, dark and neatly styled, frames her face and contributes to the overall sense of contained emotion.
The background is not depicted realistically but rather as an abstract arrangement of brushstrokes in varying shades of purple and yellow. These strokes create a dynamic visual field that contrasts with the relative stillness of the figure. The application of paint appears thick and textured, indicating an impasto technique which adds depth and physicality to the work.
Subtly, there is a sense of vulnerability conveyed through the pose and expression. The crossed arms can be interpreted as a gesture of self-protection or perhaps a quiet defiance. The draped cloth suggests modesty while simultaneously revealing the body beneath. This interplay between concealment and exposure contributes to the painting’s complexity. The overall effect is one of psychological portraiture, where the artist seems more interested in conveying an inner state than in achieving photographic realism.