The Woodcutter by Ferdinand Hodler. A man in green trousers and a striped shirt swings an axe with great force, framed by two thin trees against a pale, wintry landscape.

The Woodcutter

Ferdinand Hodler

1910 · Oil Paint, Canvas

This powerful work by Ferdinand Hodler captures the rhythmic intensity of manual labor through bold lines and a dynamic, centered composition.

$129

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3 frame sizes

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Where it works

A bold work with active energy with softened warm notes — gives the room a clear visual center.

Often works in
Living Room · Study · Office
Placement
Strongest where a vertical wall can take more presence
Walls
Reads strongest when the wall gives it contrast
Color notes
Soft gray, Terracotta clay, Charcoal black

About the piece

Created in 1910, Ferdinand Hodler’s 'The Woodcutter' is a seminal work of Swiss Modernism. The painting illustrates Hodler’s theory of parallelism, using rhythmic, repetitive lines and a powerful central figure to convey a sense of primal energy. The man’s heroic stance and the dramatic arc of the axe create a striking visual presence, rendered in a palette of earthy greens and cool, atmospheric tones.

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