Ferdinand Hodler

Berthe Hodler-Jacques, Geneva (1918-1953)
Various private collections, (1953-1972)
Christie’s Zurich, 19th June 2001, lot 46
Private collection, Switzerland
Christie’s Zurich, 22nd September 2014, lot 90
Private collection, Switzerland (2014)

Oskar Bätschmann / Paul Müller, Ferdinand Hodler. Catalogue raisonné der Gemälde. Die Figurenbilder, Zurich 2017, vol. 3, sub. vol. 2, p. 496, no. 1626, p. 497, ill. (in colour)

Not relined Canvas slightly wavy. Minor craquelure in the blue dress. Small paintlosses mainly on the right arm, at the right shoulder and at the left edge of the dress above the left knee. Very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The small-boned female figure in a blue dress is a character study for the monumental canvas Blick ins Unendliche located in the Kunstmuseum Basel. On the reverse of the Basel version the figure is silhouetted against the second woman on the right. Ferdinand Hodler created five large versions each depicting five female figures. Two of these paintings are located in the Kunstmuseum Zürich and Solothurn, the other two are in Swiss private collections. This version showing the model Alice Rein ranks among the best single figure paintings showing an individual figure on the subject Blick ins Unendliche (view into infinity). Die feingliedrige Frauengestalt in blauem Kleid ist eine Figurenstudie zum monumentalen Gemälde Blick ins Unendliche im Kunstmuseum Basel. Auf der Rückseite der Basler Fassung zeichnet sich die Silhouette dieser Figurenstudie deutlich in der zweiten Figur von rechts ab. Ferdinand Hodler hat fünf grossformatige Fassungen mit jeweils fünf weiblichen Figuren gemalt. Zwei dieser Fassungen befinden sich in den Kunstmuseen in Zürich und Solothurn, die anderen beiden in Schweizer Privatsammlungen. Bei der Dargestellten handelt es sich wohl um das Model Alice Rein. Unser eindrückliches Figurenbild mit den rot akzentuierten Blumenmotiven zählt zu den besten Einzelfigurenbildern zum Thema Blick ins Unendliche.