Tags
Alphonse Mucha, Art Nouveau, Ferdinand Hodler, Leysin, Milo Winter, Switzerland, The miller his son and the donkey, World Esperanto Association
Portrait of Berthe Jacques, wife of the artist (1894)
Portrait of Berthe Jacques, wife of the artist by Ferdinand Hodler (1894)
I am published, once again, my earlier post on The Miller, His Son and the Donkey and one on Ferdinand Hodler.
- You can’t please everyone: Aesop retold (michelinewalker.com)
My purpose is to show images. Two are by Milo Winter (The Æsop for Children, eBook #19994) and one is the work of Ferdinand Hodler, perhaps the finest Swiss artist of the 19th century. I would like to show you more of his work.
Ferdinand Hodler (14 March 1853 – 19 May 1918) was born in Berne, Switzerland. He was soon the only surviving member of his family. All died of tuberculosis. This experience coloured his life. For instance, Hodler painted several portraits of his mistress and former model Valentine Godé-Darel during the years she was dying of cancer. The video I am inserting in this post documents her “disintegration.” Interestingly, Hodler also painted some 20 portraits of himself. These may be a chronicle of the gradual metamorphosis that characterizes human life.
After Ferdinand Hodler’s father died, his mother married a decorative artist. This may explain Hodler’s career as illustrator. He apprenticed at Thun and then moved to Geneva. He is associated with many movements: from realism to expressionism, including symbolism and Art Nouveau (see “Adoration III” at the bottom of this post). We have seen the work of Alphonse Mucha (24 July 1860 – Prague, 14 July 1939) who was a Czech Art Nouveau artist.
In order to improve his skills, Hodler travelled so he could study the work of other artists. He was particularly interested in the art of Hans Holbein.
Hodler painted several landscapes and portraits. Favourite subjects were women and people going about their daily activities, genre painting. However he was also an illustrator.
Ferdinand Hodler married twice and his son by one of his models, Augustine Dupin (1852–1909), Hector Hodler (1 October 1887, in Geneva – 31 March 1920, in Leysin , Switzerland) founded the World Esperanto Association.
During the last year of his life, he had suicidal thoughts. Hodler died at the age of 65 and is now considered a Swiss legend.
© Micheline Walker
17 May 2013
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Micheline's Blog 
Dear Micheline,
What a sad life, to have lost his whole family to TB. The video showing Valentine’s decline is heartbreaking, but beautifully done. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Love,
Naomi
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Dear Naomi,
It was a sad life. When I first discovered Hodler, I didn’t know about the death of his siblings and parents. Poor Valentine! At least he was with her until the end. One does not write about such matters, but I lost 14 siblings to a congenital blood disease. I truly do not know what it has done to my life. Fortunately, I had a great love for music and the fine arts. Moreover, I loved my profession. I thank you for writing.
Love,
Micheline
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Oh, Micheline, I cannot begin to imagine the pain you have suffered. My heart goes out to you and your parents. No wonder his story touches you so deeply. Sending you hugs and love,
Naomi
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Dear Naomi,
Thank you so much. The fifties were difficult years for my parents. Our parish priest would not give my mother communion if she were not pregnant. As for me, I could not understand. It was a bad beginning. But my parents were good to the four (now three) siblings who survived. Fortunately, I had my piano, many books good friends and pets.
Much love,
Micheline
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Dear Micheline,
Thank you for sharing your story with me. I am so glad that you and your siblings and parents still had each other. What a comfort you must all have been to each other, and especially to your parents.
Love,
Naomi
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A fascinating introduction to a wonderful artist but what a deeply sad, painful and poignant video clip. With your own heavy family losses you will have a deep understanding of the grief that is portrayed.
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Gallivanta,
Yes, I understand.
Love,
Micheline
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I was really moved to see so many portraits of dying person painted by an outstanding artist. Thank you for this experience.
In spite of its depressing motif and a sad information in your preceding reply I wish all the best from sunny and colorful Poland.
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I thank you Wanda and send you kind greetings from a cool but sunny Canada.
Micheline
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