1. Ferdinand Hodler, La Malade, ou Portrait de Valentine Godé-Darel malade, 1914 Huile sur toile, 43 x 33 cm, Rudolf Staechelin Collection, © Institut Ferdinand Hodler / Pierre Montavon
Beyond the romantic relationship
Until the 21.5.2023, the Musée Jenisch Vevey in the small town of Vevey present an incredible arrangement of drawings, paintings and archival materials regarding the relation between the Swiss artist Ferdinand Holder and Valentine Godé-Darel.
Curated by Anne-Sophie Poirot (scientific collaborator of the Ferdinand Holder Institute) and Niklaus Manuel Güdel (the director of the Ferdinand Holder institute) with the help of Margaux Farron (Fine Arts collaborator of the Jenisch Vevey Museum), the show present nonetheless then 115 pieces ranging from paintings, sculpture, photographs and drawings of her muse, Valentine.
2. Ferdinand Hodler, Valentine Godé-Darel mourante, 7 janvier 1915, Crayon au graphite, encre et gouache sur papier, 272 x 370 mm Collection privée, © Koller Auktionen AG
The exhibition is divided in two chronological parts: 1908-1909 and 1914-1915. In early 1908, Ferdinand Holder meet with Valentine Godé-Darel just after her divorce, beside having 20 years of difference, Valentine agrees to pose for the artist to create numerous paintings and drawings. Quite quickly, the poses became more romantic and sexualize, until the two started a romantic relationship.
The first part of the exhibition showcase this early relationship with allegorical works and numerous portraits in which Valentine appears as a model. At the same time, the artist creates and completes two important projects, the monumental frieze on "Love" (1907-1908) and "Le Désir" (circa 1908), which is presented in the exhibition with preparatory studies.
He also started a new and important project due to the condition of Augustine Dupin (1852-1909), his former companion and mother of his son. Due to an intense illness, Ferdinand Hodler produced drawings and paintings representing her suffering and her dead in 1909...
The second part of the exhibition is dedicated to a year-long period before the dead of Ferdinand Holder due to a cancer. During this year, he drew and paints Valentine Godé-Darel everyday, evoking different emotions such as sadness, happiness, thoughtful, etc. This series will be made of around 200 works, drawings, paintings and sketches which translate the agony of Valentine until her death on the 25th of January 1915. The day after her death, the artist will come to the church to paint her.
It's important to note two important information regarding this exhibition. First, it would have not been possible to make the exhibition if the Musée Jenisch Vevey didn't receive the gift of Rudolf Schindler in 2014 and 2015 of his collection of Holder's works. But also to the wonderful book and essay published with "Les Cahiers Dessins" for a price of 60 CHF (and 90 CHF after the exhibition). This publication presents more than 370 illustrations, partly unpublished, including 135 in double pages in order to explore this part of Ferdinand Hodler's production dedicated to Valentine Godé-Darel.
Informations about the exhibition
Place: Musée Jenisch Vevey
Date: 3.2.2023 – 21.5.2023
Curators: Anne-Sophie Poirot, Margaux Farron and Niklaus Manuel Güdel
Ticket: Available at the front desk of the museum
Informations about the Musée Jenisch Vevey
Musée Jenisch Vevey
Avenue de la Gare 2
CH-1800 Vevey
Phone: +41 21 925 35 20
Mail: info@museejenisch.ch