Artwork
Bildnis Alice Vautier-Rutty
Bildnis Alice Vautier-Rutty is an oil painting by the Symbolist artist Ferdinand Hodler. It dates from 1917 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Ferdinand Hodler’s 1917 oil portrait presents a seated woman in a red dress against a muted beige backdrop. Executed during the artist’s mature phase, the work exemplifies his personal approach known as parallelism, a variation on Symbolist principles that emphasizes compositional balance and tonal harmony. The painting resides in the permanent collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
Subject & Meaning
The sitter, identified as Alice Vautier‑Rutty, is rendered with a calm, neutral expression; her short dark hair frames a face turned slightly to the right, eyes meeting the viewer directly. The restrained palette and the prominence of the red garment suggest a focus on inner character rather than narrative detail, inviting contemplation of the individual’s presence.
Technique & Style
Hodler employs oil on canvas with smooth, controlled brushwork that delineates the figure’s features realistically while maintaining a flattened spatial sense typical of his parallelism. The composition relies on subtle tonal gradations and a limited color range, allowing the red dress to serve as the visual anchor amid the subdued surroundings.
History & Provenance
Created in the final years of Hodler’s career, the portrait entered the Kunsthaus Zürich’s holdings, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s representation of early‑20th‑century Swiss art. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s commitment to preserving works that illustrate Hodler’s evolution from Symbolist motifs to his distinctive late style.
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…
