Modern Rütli 1887

Ferdinand Hodler created this painting, "Modern Rütli," with oil on canvas. Hodler employed traditional materials, such as oil paints and canvas, but he also used these materials to explore modern themes. The smooth surface of the painting contrasts with the rough, almost unfinished, quality of the brushwork, reflecting the textures of labor and the working class. The weight and texture of the paint itself add depth to the figures, suggesting their groundedness and connection to the land. Hodler's technique, with its emphasis on line and form, imbues the scene with a sense of order and structure, yet the brushstrokes retain a sense of immediacy and presence. Hodler’s decision to portray working-class men involved in acts of solidarity challenges traditional hierarchies within the art world. His process serves as a powerful reminder that art and craft are not separate domains but interconnected expressions of human creativity and skill, intimately tied to social and political contexts.