“The Angry One” is a portrait by Ferdinand Hodler, an artist associated with the Realism movement. This artwork is classified as a portrait and is part of the collection at the Kunstmuseum Basel in Basel, Switzerland.
The artwork presents a striking depiction of a male subject, portrayed in a three-quarter view. The subject’s expression is intense and animated, with furrowed brows and a somewhat contorted mouth that suggests a moment of passion or anger. The realism of the work is evident in the precise rendering of the facial features, the naturalistic play of light and shadow across the subject’s face, and the meticulous attention to the textures of the skin and hair.
The dark backdrop serves to isolate and emphasize the figure, drawing the viewer’s attention squarely on the emotional state of the subject. The artist’s signature can be seen in the lower right corner, confidently placed within the composition. The overall effect is one of dramatic immediacy, inviting the observer into a personal moment of heightened emotion captured on canvas.
