Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Ferdinand E Gröne died in 1920; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1990.
In context
A Farm Maid — Ferdinand E Gröne
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 70 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Ferdinand E Gröne (1850–1920) every dated painting, decade by decade
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
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Measured from the image
Main colour
Rosy Brown #d1b68d
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 5 works by this artist, of which 2 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Ferdinand Hodler (1853 – 1911) stands as a pivotal figure in Swiss art history, embodying the spirit of Symbolism alongside pioneering explorations into ‘parallelism,’ a technique that profoundly impacted his artistic vision. Born in Zürich, Switzerland, Hodler’s early life was marked by familial struggles and a challenging adolescence—factors that undoubtedly shaped his introspective approach to painting and imbued his works with an emotional resonance rarely found in contemporary art. Despite initial setbacks and criticisms from established academic circles, Hodler persevered, establishing himself as one of the foremost landscape painters of his era while simultaneously forging a distinctive path toward artistic innovation.
Hodler’s artistic journey began with traditional landscapes executed in meticulous detail—a stylistic homage to Romanticism—yet he swiftly rejected convention, gravitating towards a more expressive style characterized by muted palettes and hazy atmospheres. This deliberate departure from realism wasn't merely aesthetic; it reflected Hodler’s philosophical preoccupation with capturing the essence of existence beyond mere visual representation. Influenced by Nietzsche’s ideas on nihilism and Apollinaire’s poetic explorations of subconsciousness, Hodler sought to convey inner states—dreams, emotions, and spiritual experiences—through a revolutionary technique known as ‘parallelism.’ This method involved applying paint in multiple layers simultaneously, creating an illusion of depth and luminosity that defied conventional perspective.
His breakthrough came with the depiction of landscapes imbued with symbolic meaning – particularly his celebrated series of paintings centered on Flatford Mill, Suffolk. Hodler’s masterful rendering of this iconic English scene wasn't simply a faithful transcription of visual reality; it was a deliberate attempt to distill the sublime—the awe-inspiring grandeur of nature that transcends rational understanding—into an emotionally charged image. The hazy skies and muted greens of Flatford Mill captured not just the physical environment but also the intangible feeling of contemplation and spiritual communion, cementing Hodler’s reputation as a visionary artist who dared to challenge artistic dogma.
Hodler's oeuvre encompasses portraits, landscapes, and decorative murals—each demonstrating his unwavering commitment to stylistic experimentation and emotional depth. Notable works include ‘The Bride of Death,’ a haunting depiction of mortality rendered with meticulous detail and symbolic imagery; and numerous paintings exploring themes of solitude, memory, and the beauty of decay. His artistic legacy extends beyond individual masterpieces, influencing subsequent generations of artists who embraced Symbolism and Parallelism as tools for conveying profound psychological truths. Hodler’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of art—and his courageous pursuit of stylistic innovation—solidified his place among Switzerland's most influential painters and cemented his enduring contribution to the history of modern art.
Hodler achieved considerable acclaim during his lifetime, securing commissions for murals in prominent Swiss institutions and garnering recognition from fellow artists and critics alike. His paintings were exhibited extensively throughout Europe, establishing him as a leading voice within the Symbolist movement. Furthermore, Hodler’s unwavering dedication to artistic integrity—despite facing resistance from conservative academic circles—earned him respect and admiration from those who championed avant-garde experimentation.
Flatford Mill Series (1893-1895): Considered his magnum opus, showcasing the pinnacle of Parallelism technique.
The Bride of Death (1907): A haunting portrait embodying themes of mortality and psychological introspection.
Numerous Decorative Murals: Commissioned for public spaces in Zürich and Lausanne, demonstrating Hodler’s versatility as a painter.
Hodler's pioneering use of Parallelism profoundly impacted the artistic landscape of the early 20th century. Artists like Apollinaire and Picasso acknowledged his influence, adopting similar techniques to express inner emotions and explore subconscious realms. Hodler’s unwavering commitment to stylistic innovation served as an inspiration for subsequent generations of painters who sought to transcend representational conventions and delve into the depths of human experience—leaving an indelible mark on the trajectory of modern art.
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Look closely
A Farm Maid — Ferdinand E Gröne
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"A Farm Maid" by Ferdinand E Gröne is in the public domain - its copyright has expired. Copyright terms are measured from the artist's death, and Ferdinand E Gröne died in 1920.
The AR Preview page of "A Farm Maid" by Ferdinand E Gröne uses augmented reality to show the artwork in your own space, on a compatible device.
An ochre to sepia hue runs through "A Farm Maid" by Ferdinand E Gröne.