Houthakker

1908

Banknotes for the Swiss National Bank

In 1908 the Swiss National Bank commissioned two designs for new banknotes from Hodler. Instead of portraits of famous men he chose a woodcutter (for the 50-franc note) and a reaper (for the 100-franc note); the designs were controversial, but both appeared in the 1911 Series Two.

1913

Valentine's illness: a cycle at her bedside

In 1913 Valentine Godé-Darel was diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer; the many hours Hodler spent at her bedside produced a remarkable series of paintings recording her decline. She was operated on in January and again in June 1914.

1914

Protest against the shelling of Reims Cathedral

In 1914 Hodler signed a petition of Geneva intellectuals condemning the German artillery bombardment of Reims Cathedral, and refused to withdraw his signature despite pressure from Swiss and German friends. In retaliation he was expelled from several German art associations (by other accounts, from all of them).

January 1915

Death of Valentine Godé-Darel

Valentine's death in January 1915 affected Hodler deeply.

November 1917

Pulmonary oedema

By 1917 Hodler's health was failing; in November he fell ill with pulmonary oedema and told his son he was contemplating suicide.

19. Mai 1918

Died