Ferdinand Hodler: Symbolism, Parallelism & the Quest for Universal Harmony Ferdinand Hodler (1853 – 1911) stands as a pivotal figure in Swiss art history, embodying the spirit of Symbolism alongside pioneering explorations into ‘parallelism,’ a technique that profoundly impacted his artistic vision. Born in Zürich, Switzerland, Hodler’s early life was marked by familial struggles and a challenging adolescence—factors that undoubtedly shaped his introspective approach to painting and imbued his works with an emotional resonance rarely found in contemporary art. Despite initial setbacks and cr…