Study of the disappointed souls or Weary of life 1891

Ferdinand Hodler created this drawing, "Study of the Disappointed Souls or Weary of Life," with graphite on paper. The figure's posture, defined by slumped shoulders and a downcast gaze, immediately conveys a sense of despondency. Hodler's use of line is particularly striking, creating a structure for emotional expression. The sketch-like quality lends a raw, immediate feel to the work, yet the carefully mapped-out grid shows his structural approach. The lines are economical, yet they delineate form and shadow with considerable precision, focusing on conveying the figure’s psychological state. The composition emphasizes the weight of the figure's weariness, as the lines direct our attention to the drooping head and listless limbs. By reducing the figure to its essential lines, Hodler captures a universal feeling of existential fatigue. The figure becomes a signifier, embodying a broader human condition. In this way, the formal aspects of line and composition serve as a vehicle for exploring themes of human suffering and the search for meaning.