Artwork
The Woodcutter
The Woodcutter is an ink print by Ferdinand Hodler. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the Rosenwald Collection.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:recto: in stone, at lower right: F.H.; in graphite, below image, at left: 91; in graphite, below image, at right: Ferd. Hodler; in graphite at bottom left in later hand: 4; in graphite at bottom right in later hand: M447; verso: none
- Markings
- Marked:recto: none; verso, stamped in black ink: COMISION NACIONAL DE MUSEOS / Y MONUMENTOS HISTORICOS / JOSE LUIS BUSANICHE / SECRETARIO GENERALE
About this work
Overview
The Woodcutter is a print created by Ferdinand Hodler around 1910 using transfer lithography on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The lithograph depicts a man chopping wood, captured in a dynamic pose that conveys energy and movement. The figure's contorted body and angled axe suggest a moment of tension before the axe strikes.
Technique & Style
Hodler employed transfer lithography to create the work, characteristic of his later Symbolist style, which emphasized rhythmic compositions. The solid beige background highlights the figure, underscoring the dynamic movement of the woodcutter.
Context
Hodler's artistic style evolved from realistic depictions to a more symbolic approach, known as 'parallelism.' The Woodcutter reflects this later phase, showcasing the artist's focus on expressive and dynamic representations of the human form.
Own this work as a print
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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