Lake Geneva with Mont Blanc in the morning light 1918

Ferdinand Hodler rendered Lake Geneva with Mont Blanc in paint on canvas to capture the essence of morning light. The lake, still and reflective, mirrors the sky, creating a sense of perfect symmetry, while the mountain range cuts a jagged line across the horizon. Consider the symbolic weight of mountains across cultures; they often represent stability and spiritual aspiration. In Hodler's work, the mountain motif echoes the romantic ideal, a concept that we can trace back to ancient myths of Olympus. Yet, here, the rigid symmetry introduces a psychological tension, hinting at an underlying order striving to contain the sublime chaos of nature. The soft pastel hues evoke a dreamlike atmosphere, engaging our subconscious with a profound sense of peace and nostalgia. Just as water is a symbol of purity in baptism, the pristine nature in this painting mirrors a longing for an unspoiled, untouched state of being. These symbols resurface time and again, revealing our deep-seated connection to the natural world and our quest for meaning within it.