Fusilier Marching to the left 1909

Ferdinand Hodler made this drawing titled, Fusilier Marching to the left, using graphite on paper. I love the economy of line in this drawing! Looking at this, I can imagine Hodler sketching away, capturing the essence of this soldier in a few strokes. What was the soldier thinking? Was he marching into battle, or was he on parade? Hodler really makes the solider march with confidence. Hodler was Swiss, and this feels like an early 20th-century scene, capturing a particular moment in time. The drawing isn't overworked; it feels fresh and alive. It reminds me of other sketches by artists like Degas, who also captured fleeting moments with simple gestures. It shows how artists are always in conversation, learning from each other across time. Painting is a journey, a conversation, and this piece captures a moment in that ongoing exchange.