Study for Day (Truth)
1896/98
Medium
Graphite with smudging on cream wove paper, squared for transfer
Dimensions
28.6 × 28.6 cm (11 5/16 × 11 5/16 in.)
Classification
graphite
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
182642
Art Historical Context
Ferdinand Hodler’s “Study for Day (Truth)” offers a fascinating glimpse into the creative process of one of Switzerland’s most influential late-19th artists. Created between 6 and 1898, this graphite drawing on cream wove paper measures 28.6 centimeters square, yet it served as a crucial preparatory step for a larger composition. Hodler, known for his Symbolist approach, often explored profound themes such as truth, nature, and human existence through rhythmic forms and balanced compositions. The medium—graphite with delicate smudging—allows for soft tonal transitions that give the figure a l...