Swiss Alpine Museum exhibits rare Hodler paintings

The Swiss Alpine Museum is currently exhibiting a series of rare large-scale works of the Swiss 19th century painter Ferdinand Hodler. The exhibition is called “ascent and fall” of mountain climbers.

The Swiss Alpine Museum is currently exhibiting a series of rare large-scale works of the Swiss 19th century painter Ferdinand Hodler. The exhibition is called “ascent and fall” of mountain climbers.

The highlight of the exhibition is a series of seven pictures which were originally part of a much larger dioramic display on the subject of mountaineers.

Hodler made the paintings – originally seven meters tall — for the world exhibition in Antwerp in 1894. In 1915, the massive work was split up into seven smaller displays under Hodler’s supervision.

The exhibition not only shows those displays but also provides information and illustrations of Hodler’s artistic concept.

And while there is some background information on rock climbing accidents in the late 19th century – historic facts that may have influenced Hodler’s work – a computer analysis reveals more details on how Hodler worked as a painter.


The exhibition runs till October 31.