Artwork
Der Mettenberg
Der Mettenberg is an oil painting by Ferdinand Hodler. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Der Mettenberg, created by Swiss painter Ferdinand Hodler in 1912, is an oil painting characterized by a snow-covered mountain landscape with a rugged, rocky peak, set against a light gray sky.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on a snow-clad mountain, its slope partially revealing rocks and trees. The depiction conveys a sense of dynamic movement and energy as the mountain appears to ascend from the foreground.
Technique & Style
Hodler employed chiaroscuro to achieve depth and volume, contrasting light and dark areas. The use of color and texture enhances the dimensional quality of the snowy landscape, reflecting Hodler's later Symbolist approach, termed 'parallelism'.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1912, Der Mettenberg is part of the collection at Kunsthaus Zürich, showcasing a late work in Hodler's oeuvre, which transitioned from realism to Symbolism.
Context
Der Mettenberg exemplifies Hodler's shift towards Symbolism, particularly through 'parallelism', a style that emphasized rhythmic forms and expressive symbolism, diverging from his earlier realistic portraiture and genre scenes.
Legacy
As a representative of Hodler's Symbolist period, Der Mettenberg contributes to the broader European Symbolist movement of the early 20th century, highlighting the artist's influence in transitioning from realism to more expressive and symbolic themes.
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…
