Study for Day (Truth) 1896 - 1898

This pencil on paper work, Study for Day (Truth), was created by Ferdinand Hodler. Three female figures stand side by side, their forms rendered in delicate lines against a gridded background. The artist uses the visual device of repetition to create a sense of rhythm and continuity, perhaps reflecting the cycles of nature and existence. The stark simplicity of the composition draws attention to the formal elements of line and form. Hodler destabilizes traditional representations of the body with the figures' elongated proportions, inviting us to reflect on how our understanding of the body is shaped by social and cultural codes. The sketchlike quality of the work underscores its status as a study and provides insight into Hodler's process. The underlying structure and composition of the figures not only function aesthetically, but also engage with broader philosophical questions about truth, representation, and the human condition.