Self-portrait with stand 1879

Ferdinand Hodler created this oil painting, Self-portrait with stand, in Switzerland, but the exact date is unknown. Hodler, who lived through a period of rapid social change, was deeply concerned with themes of identity, mortality, and the relationship between the individual and the collective. Here, he represents himself as a bourgeois gentleman, and his work embodies the artistic and social tensions of the time. The formal attire contrasts with his intense, almost melancholic gaze, hinting at the inner struggles of the modern artist navigating a rapidly changing world. Switzerland’s unique position in Europe, between tradition and modernity, influenced Hodler’s art. His engagement with symbolism and search for universal forms were attempts to express profound truths about the human condition. To truly understand Hodler, scholars consult his personal writings, exhibition catalogues, and the critical reception of his work, all shedding light on the complex interplay between art, society, and individual expression. This reminds us that the meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.