The painting Night from 1889–90 is one of Hodler’s most renowned works. It depicts a group of young people sleeping outdoors, with a young man at the center waking up in terror at the sight of a figure dressed in black, symbolizing death. The piece was controversial when first exhibited in Geneva but later gained appreciation in Paris, notably from Puvis de Chavannes. Hodler himself considered this the first work that was entirely his own, both in concept and execution.