Symbolic Head (c. 1890)

Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork

"Symbolic Head," crafted by the renowned French artist Odilon Redon around 1890, is a striking example of symbolism in art. This compelling painting features a profile view of a figure that conveys an enigmatic presence, characteristic of Redon's fascination with the dreamlike and the mystical.The figure in the painting is depicted with a serene yet inscrutable countenance. The use of somber and earthen tones, coupled with a rich red background, enhances the mystique of the portrait. Notably, the profile is not merely human but incorporates fantastical elements that reflect Redon's interest in the convergence of reality and the imagined. The head of the figure merges seamlessly with abstract and floral motifs on one side, suggesting a fusion of the human with the natural or otherworldly realms.The juxtaposition of textural details with smooth, flowing lines creates a visual tension that invites viewers to explore the depths of the figure's psyche or perhaps the symbolism hidden within the elements portrayed. The vague features and the obscured, partial depiction of the figure's attire contribute to the overall mysterious quality of the work."Symbolic Head" is a testament to Redon's mastery in using color and form to evoke emotion and thought. It invites interpretation and reflection, asking each viewer to consider the realms of the visible and the invisible, the conscious and the subconscious.

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Odilon Redon was a French symbolist painter, printmaker, draughtsman and pastellist. Early in his career, both before and after fighting in the Franco-Prussian War, he worked almost exclusively in charcoal and lithography, works referred to as noirs. 

During the 1890s he began working in pastel and oils, which quickly became his favourite medium, abandoning his previous style of noirs completely after 1900. He also developed a keen interest in Hindu and Budhist religion and culture, which increasingly showed in his work.

He is perhaps best known today for the "dreamlike" paintings created in the first decade of the 20th century, which were heavily inspired by Japanese art and which, while continuing to take inspiration from nature, heavily flirted with abstraction. His work is considered a precursor to both Dadaism and Surrealism.