Artwork
The Disillusioned One
The Disillusioned One is an oil painting by Ferdinand Hodler. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1896, *The Disillusioned One* is an oil painting by Swiss artist Ferdinand Hodler. The work is part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s collection and exemplifies Hodler’s shift from early realism toward his later Symbolist language.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a solitary figure seated on a bench, his head bowed and shoulders collapsed. Dressed in a dark, flowing robe, the man clasps his hands together, suggesting a state of resignation or inner defeat. The anonymity of his face directs attention to posture as the primary conveyer of emotional despondency.
Technique & Style
Hodler employs a restrained palette of earthy greens and browns, allowing subtle tonal variations to model the figure. While the painting does not rely on dramatic chiaroscuro, the muted background and soft lighting create a quiet volumetric presence that aligns with his “parallelism” approach, emphasizing rhythmic repetition and symbolic resonance over strict naturalism.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the market and was eventually acquired by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Its presence in a major American institution reflects Hodler’s growing international reputation during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ferdinand Hodler (March 14, 1853 – May 19, 1918) was a Swiss painter. He is one of the best-known Swiss painters of the nineteenth century. His early works were portraits, landscapes, and genre paintings in a realistic…
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