The artwork titled “Self-portrait” by Ferdinand Hodler, completed in 1916, is a lithograph on paper. It belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and measures 65 by 47.7 cm. As the genre suggests, it is a self-portrait of the artist.
In the artwork, Ferdinand Hodler employs a minimalist use of line and shading to depict the contours of his face with stark precision. The portrait captures a profound intensity in Hodler’s gaze, illustrating the penetrating introspection typical of self-portraits. The textured quality of the lithography medium brings a raw, detailed emphasis to the artist’s aged features, which are marked by deep lines and a contemplative expression. The neutral background focused solely on the visage, invites the viewer to engage intimately with the artist’s self-reflection in a moment frozen in time.
