Artwork
Student Putting on His Coat
Student Putting on His Coat is a print by Ferdinand Hodler. It dates from 1908 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1908, *Student Putting on His Coat* is a print by Swiss artist Ferdinand Hodler. The work shows a young man midway through dressing, his right arm reaching for the sleeve of a coat while his attire consists of dark trousers and a white shirt. The figure stands against a muted beige backdrop that subtly offsets the darker clothing.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a moment of private routine, suggesting a pause before the day’s activities. The student's focused posture and the quiet atmosphere convey a sense of introspection, inviting viewers to consider the transition from private preparation to public engagement.
Technique & Style
Hodler employs bold contour lines and vigorous brushwork that impart a feeling of motion despite the stillness of the scene. The structured arrangement of forms reflects his later Symbolist phase, often described as “parallelism,” where figures are organized in rhythmic, almost mathematical patterns.
History & Provenance
The print entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Hodler, born in 1853, rose to prominence as one of Switzerland’s leading nineteenth‑century painters before evolving toward his distinctive Symbolist language.
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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