The fall in Silvaplana 1907

Ferdinand Hodler painted this view of the lake at Silvaplana, probably in the early 1900’s, with oil on canvas. The way he’s built up the scene feels so intuitive, a dance between observation and feeling. Look at how Hodler uses color! The mountains are these solid blocks of warm browns and greens, reflected in cool blues and greens. The paint isn't too thick, but you can see the marks, the direction of his brushstrokes, especially in the sky. It’s like he's not just painting a picture, but building a world, one stroke at a time. There’s one little area where the yellow of the sky hits the mountains. It almost vibrates with light, doesn’t it? It’s a simple touch, but it animates the whole painting, giving it a pulse. Hodler’s painting reminds me a bit of Klimt, in how he captures a sense of majesty. But where Klimt goes ornate, Hodler stays grounded. It’s like he’s saying, "Here’s the world, in all its simple, stunning beauty."