Bildnis General Ulrich Wille

Executed in oil, the portrait employs Hodler’s characteristic “parallelism,” a stylized approach that simplifies forms into rhythmic, repeating lines. The flat, muted background and the uniform treatment of color fields reflect his move away from strict realism toward a Symbolist aesthetic that prioritizes structural harmony over detailed naturalism.

Created in the midst of the First World War, the painting entered the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of early‑20th‑century Swiss art. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s commitment to preserving works by leading national artists of the era.

At the time of its execution, Hodler was one of Switzerland’s most influential painters, known for integrating Symbolist ideas into a distinctly Swiss visual language. The portrait aligns with his broader oeuvre, which often juxtaposed individual figures against simplified spaces to convey collective ideals, mirroring the country’s emphasis on unity and neutrality.