Odilon Redon



The Apparition (Charcoal)
©The Bridgeman Art Library - London, New York, Paris.



The French artist Odilon Redon was very private person and led a retiring life in the early part of his career when his work was made up almost totally of black & white charcoal and lithographs. He was interested in exploring his inner psyche and I don’t find it surprising to discover that he was inspired by the works of the writer Edgar Alan Poe; judging by his frequent use of macabre themes featuring quite disturbing bizarre imaginary creatures (reminiscent of human, animal and plant life) in barren landscapes.

Some of his works appear ambiguous, giving me an intriguing sensation that nothing is at it seems.
He was a relatively unknown artist for a large part of his life, until the publication in 1884 of a cult novel by Joris-Karl Huysmans, in which his drawings are collected by the book’s main character - a disenchanted aristocrat.
From the 1890’s onwards his work became more in colourful and upbeat, which before long caused his career to improve greatly, although he was still a very private person. He was associated with the art movement known as the Symbolist group of painters and the Surrealists regarded him as one of their main precursors. Towards the end of his life he was much admired by many other artists.



Tree & Stars(charcoal) O Redon1895

©The Bridgeman Art Library - London, New York, Paris.

 I noticed strange tiny orb like creatures floating around in this image. Even the foliage on the tree seems to be full of mysterious ghost like faces; the more I look the more faces I see. Redon appears to have made use of the eraser to great effect, obtaining strong tonal contrasts around the base and left side of the tree.