Artwork
Bildnis Hélène Weiglé
Bildnis Hélène Weiglé is an oil painting by the Symbolist artist Ferdinand Hodler. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Ferdinand Hodler painted *Bildnis Hélène Weiglé* in 1898 with oil on canvas. The portrait is part of the collection of Kunsthaus Zürich and exemplifies Hodler’s late‑century shift toward Symbolist concerns, employing his personal theory of "parallelism" to structure the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The work shows Hélène Weiglé seated on a chair, her dark hair gathered in an updo and a blue plaid dress covering her form. She turns slightly away from the viewer, her expression ambiguous, while her hands rest calmly on her lap and the chair’s arm, suggesting an inner reserve that aligns with Symbolist interest in hidden emotional states.
Technique & Style
Hodler applies oil paint with a subtle chiaroscuro that models the figure’s volume against a light beige background. The contrast between the dark hair and clothing and the muted backdrop creates depth, while the restrained palette and simplified forms reflect the artist’s parallelist approach, emphasizing harmonious relationships over narrative detail.
History & Provenance
Since its creation, the portrait has remained in Switzerland, entering the holdings of the Kunsthaus Zürich where it is displayed as part of the museum’s representation of late‑19th‑century Swiss Symbolism.
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…
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