The present drawing is the first known study (the other studies date from 1896 onwards) for the famous composition Der Tag, of which Hodler executed three versions in 1899, the best example of which now hangs in the Kunstmuseum, Berne. The other two finsihed oils are housed in the Kunsthaus, Zurich and Kunstmuseum, Lucerne. Discussing this composition Hodler commented: "The women have awakened from their sleep and protect themselves against the the flood of daylight; the others have overcome this moment and are admiring the splendour of the day..."(C. A. Loosli, Ferdinand Hodler: Leben, Werk und Nachlass, vol.IV, Berne, 1924, p.287)