Artwork
Lake Geneva with the Savoy Alps
Lake Geneva with the Savoy Alps is an oil painting by the Symbolist artist Ferdinand Hodler. It dates from 1907 and is held in the collection of the Städel Museum. Created in 1907, this oil on canvas presents a tranquil view of Lake Geneva framed by the Savoy Alps.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1907, this oil on canvas presents a tranquil view of Lake Geneva framed by the Savoy Alps. The composition balances the calm water with distant, snow‑capped peaks under a soft, yellow‑tinged sky, inviting contemplation of the natural landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a specific moment of stillness: the lake mirrors the surrounding mountains and sky, emphasizing the unity between water and land. Hodler’s treatment suggests a contemplative relationship between humanity and nature, reflecting his interest in symbolic resonance beyond mere representation.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the work features visible brushwork that adds texture to the surface. A muted palette of blues, greens, and subtle earth tones dominates, while the delicate yellow of the sky provides a gentle contrast. The handling of light and reflection demonstrates Hodler’s shift toward a more personal, symbolic visual language.
History & Provenance
The canvas entered the collection of the Städel Museum in Frankfurt, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing Swiss modernism and the broader European transition from realism to Symbolist tendencies in the early twentieth century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ferdinand Hodler (March 14, 1853 – May 19, 1918) was a Swiss painter. He is one of the best-known Swiss painters of the nineteenth century. His early works were portraits, landscapes, and genre paintings in a realistic…
