Portrait of Hélène Weiglé, 1888

Dimensions: 88.5 x 69.5 cm

Physical Description: Oil on canvas

Inventory Number: SG 208

Acquisition: Acquired in 1912

Status: On display, 1st upper level, Modern Art, room 6

Texts

About the Work

Hodler considered coquetry and theatrical exaggeration of feelings as the epitome of femininity. In his portrait of the sixteen-year-old Hélène Weiglé, the Swiss Symbolist tamed the feminine principle with clear structures. The sprawling leaves opening up into a dark path in the upper part of the picture are juxtaposed with the young woman’s rigorous profile and her checked dress against a grey backdrop. She is rather aloofly scrutinising a single marguerite, and her gracefulness seems artificial, as if she is aware of being observed.

Audio

Basic information

01:01
Focus on art history

01:29

Work Data

Basic Information

Title: Portrait of Hélène Weiglé

Painter

Ferdinand Hodler

Period Produced

19th century

School

symbolism

Object Type

painting (artwork)

Physical Description: Oil on canvas

Material

canvas

Technique

Label at the Time of Manufacture: Bezeichnet unten rechts: Ferd. Hodler 188. (laut Inventar; am Bild nur noch in Spuren vorhanden)

Work Catalogues

Bätschmann 2012, Nr. 766

Property and Acquisition

Institution

Städel Museum

Departement

Modern Art 1800–1945

Collection

Städtische Galerie

Creditline: Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main

Picture Copyright: Public Domain

Acquisition: Acquired in 1912

Work Content

Motifs and References

Genre

portrait

Main Motif

Persons Shown

Hélène Weiglé

Iconclass

Primary

61BB2(WEIGLÉ,Hélène)11(+53) historical person (WEIGLÉ,Hélène) - BB - woman - historical person (WEIGLÉ,Hélène) portrayed alone (+ half-length portrait)
31D130 Maidenhood
31AA235 sitting figure - AA - female human figure
31B6212 looking downwards