Portrait of Gertrud Mueller 1912

Editor: This is Ferdinand Hodler's "Portrait of Gertrud Mueller" from 1912, painted in oil. It has an almost naive, very direct quality about it, especially in the gaze and the visible brushstrokes. What strikes you about this painting? Curator: Oh, hello there! You’re right, it does have this captivating directness. It's interesting, isn't it, how Hodler strips away conventional prettiness. I mean, look at those earthy, almost ruddy tones he uses for her complexion. It feels very immediate, like a raw encounter. I always wonder, did Gertrud see herself this way? It's a very "modern" view of beauty, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Absolutely! It’s much less idealized than a lot of earlier portraiture. Do you think it reflects something about the changing role of women at that time? Curator: You've hit upon something vital, my friend! Perhaps this directness *is* about empowerment, about seeing beyond societal expectations of beauty and charm. The looseness of the brushwork...almost like the woman's identity is still being formed. What if this is her true self emerging as women start to play more complex roles? Perhaps Gertrud wasn't afraid to be seen. Editor: That's a really interesting interpretation. The loose brushstrokes also bring an expressive feeling into the whole painting. It definitely adds a mood and reflects changing societal and artistic conventions. Curator: Precisely! And perhaps reminds us that even a “portrait” is filtered through an artist’s mind. What she truly saw, and what Hodler chose to show, are two distinct…and beautifully mysterious…realities. Thanks for this little trip, made me rethink Gertrud.