Ferdinand Hodler
1904
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1904
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man in profile. His hair is thick and curly, and he’s wearing a high collar with a dark, textured coat. The lines are bold and uneven, giving it a rough, hand-carved look. The artist signed it in the corner, and the year 1904 is stamped in the top right. This isn’t a smooth painting—it’s made by cutting wood and printing it, which creates those grainy textures. If you like this style, look up woodcut to see how artists carve and print images like this.
