Thirteen standing draped figures 1913

Editor: This is Ferdinand Hodler’s “Thirteen standing draped figures,” from 1913, made with ink. It’s a fairly simple sketch, but I find the figures oddly unsettling. What do you make of it? Curator: I see echoes of ancient rituals. The repetition of the figures, their postures… It evokes a sense of collective memory. Notice how some figures seem to be reaching out, almost beseeching. Could this be a visual representation of shared emotion, or perhaps even a lament? Editor: A lament? Because they seem somewhat ghost-like? Curator: Exactly. The sparseness of the lines and the uniformity of the figures drain them of individuality and instead contribute to a feeling of shared destiny. It is almost a dreamlike image of a Greek chorus of mourners in the symbolic style characteristic of the era. Does the setting give you any impression of place or time? Editor: Not really, but that's interesting... A dream. The poses do feel symbolic, maybe reflecting different stages of grief. Or perhaps each pose shows a part of the figures’ communal reaction to the tragic fate. Curator: That is a sharp interpretation. The absence of distinguishing characteristics almost forces us to confront the universal nature of what they’re experiencing. We begin to think less about individuals, and more about humankind. How would you describe Hodler's handling of space here? Editor: Now that you mention it, the space doesn’t really make any sense, making them exist more in an idea, rather than reality. Almost like they’re performing on a stage. Thank you for that perspective. Curator: It’s a potent reminder that art is a conversation, and that the most meaningful dialogues often start with what isn't explicitly said.