Portrait study to "Look into the infinity" 1916

This is a portrait study by Ferdinand Hodler, made with oil on canvas. Hodler’s application of paint emphasizes the materiality of the medium. Notice how he has used visible brushstrokes and bold outlines, filling in the form with layered color. This technique, with its emphasis on surface texture, draws attention to the labor of creation. It’s worth considering the social context of this work. Oil paint, by Hodler’s time, was widely available commercially, but working as a painter still required time, skill, and dedicated studio space. Even a study like this one reflects a commitment to a particular way of life. By understanding the material properties and the making process, we can move beyond the image itself, and appreciate the social and economic factors that enabled its creation. This helps us break down conventional barriers between ‘art’ and ‘craft’, recognizing the value of skill and labor in all forms of creative expression.