The artwork titled “Jena Students Depart for the War of Liberation, 1813,” created by Ferdinand Hodler in 1908, is rendered on canvas. This piece belongs to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and is a genre painting. It possesses grand dimensions, measuring 358 by 546 centimeters.
The artwork captures a significant historical moment, depicting students from Jena preparing to depart for the War of Liberation in 1813. The composition is divided into two primary planes. In the foreground, several young men are seen attending to their horses, dressing and preparing for departure, signifying the personal preparedness for the imminent conflict. They are engaged in tasks such as saddling horses and adjusting their attire, which reflects the intimate and individual acts of readiness. The background, in contrast, portrays rows of soldiers marching with rifles pointed skyward, symbolizing the collective, organized military endeavor. The visual style adheres to the characteristic decorative elements of the Art Nouveau movement, blending historical narrative with modernist aesthetics. The juxtaposition of personal and communal spheres within the painting effectively conveys the sobering reality of war and the departure of these students for a momentous cause.
