Ferdinand Hodler stands among the greatest names in Swiss art history, having profoundly influenced his contemporaries while continuing to serve as an inspiration for today's artists. A comprehensive exhibition at the Museum of Art and History in Neuchâtel explores whether Hodler was an influencer of his time or simply someone who masterfully rode the waves of contemporary artistic trends - likely both.

The exhibition "Hodler: A Model for Swiss Art" presents the most renowned artist of early modernism within the circle of his friends, students, imitators, critics, and opponents. The show begins with one of Hodler's most famous works, "The Woodcutter" from 1910, which depicts a man devoted to his craft with such intensity that the man and his ax appear to become one.

This painting exemplifies Hodler's distinctive artistic approach with its tight framing, strong diagonal composition, and symbolic elevation of the subject matter. The theme of the working person perfectly matched the taste of the times and the growing sense of nationalism. People wanted to see individuals who were building something, who were cultivating and shaping their homeland. The same gallery displays similar works by Hodler's contemporaries: a cheesemaker by Casimir Reymond, a construction worker by Charles L'Eplattenier, and a group of reapers in a large-format painting by Gustave Jeanneret.

Hodler had tapped into a theme that was very much in the air, and he helped drive the popularity of this subject matter, almost unintentionally. He originally created "The Woodcutter" motif in 1910 for a Swiss National Bank competition, but when the design was significantly altered for use on banknotes, Hodler was displeased and painted new woodcutter works for every exhibition he organized. As an already famous painter, his woodcutter paintings were widely discussed, contributing to the growing popularity of the working person as an artistic subject.

The exhibition demonstrates how Hodler shaped the art of his time while simultaneously being influenced by the zeitgeist. Through individual motifs, visitors can see how Hodler and his contemporaries repeatedly worked with similar themes: Lake Geneva, wild flower meadows, symbolist figures, and orderly rows of trees. The exhibition includes striking comparisons, such as Hodler's 1917 "Sunset at Lake Geneva from Caux" alongside Marcel d'Eternod's 1919 "View of Lake Leman," and Hodler's 1894 "Autumn Evening" next to Daniel Ihly's 1902 "The Road to Saint-Georges."

Curator Philippe Clerc and his team conducted extensive research for the exhibition, investigating who Hodler's students were, whom he had contact with, and which imitators existed. The art historians discovered many names that are hardly known today and numerous works that hadn't been displayed for decades, many retrieved from museum storage facilities.

The exhibition doesn't only showcase works by Hodler's friends and like-minded artists. There were also artists who consciously opposed Hodler's aesthetic, painting angular urban scenes instead of idealized nature representations. These contrasting voices receive their own dedicated space in the exhibition, providing a more complete picture of the artistic landscape of the time.

Three contemporary artists were invited to engage with Hodler's legacy, including David Weishaar from Lausanne, who created a mysterious group of figures in a stylized nocturnal garden. His painting responds to Hodler's symbolist works while appearing thoroughly contemporary, demonstrating that engagement with Hodler's art remains stimulating and relevant today.

The comprehensive exhibition reveals Hodler as both a product of his time and a driving force in Swiss artistic development. His influence extended far beyond his immediate circle, shaping not only the themes that became popular in Swiss art but also the way artists approached composition, symbolism, and the representation of national identity through artistic work.

"Hodler: A Model for Swiss Art" runs through October 12, 2025, at the Museum of Art and History in Neuchâtel, offering visitors a rare opportunity to see both famous masterpieces and rediscovered works that illustrate the full scope of Hodler's impact on Swiss artistic culture.