Artwork
Genfersee bei Sonnenuntergang
Genfersee bei Sonnenuntergang is an oil painting by the Art Nouveau artist Ferdinand Hodler. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Ferdinand Hodler’s 1914 oil painting *Genfersee bei Sonnenuntergang* presents a tranquil view of Lake Geneva at dusk. The canvas is dominated by a broad, reflective water surface that mirrors a sky shifting from yellow to blue, tinged with pink and gray. Distant mountains appear in muted tones, contributing to a balanced, serene composition that invites quiet contemplation.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of calm as daylight fades, emphasizing the harmony between water, sky, and land. By focusing on the subtle interplay of light and reflection, Hodler conveys a sense of timeless stillness, inviting viewers to consider the natural rhythms of evening and the quiet beauty of the Swiss landscape.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs smooth gradations of color to render the sky’s transition and the water’s mirror-like surface. Hodler’s brushwork is restrained, favoring soft, blended tones over detailed texture, aligning the piece with Art Nouveau’s decorative sensibility while also reflecting his later Symbolist “parallelism,” which seeks rhythmic visual harmony.
History & Provenance
Created during the final years of Hodler’s career, the canvas entered the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing pivotal Swiss artists of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, preserving Hodler’s contribution to the nation’s artistic heritage.
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…
