Roger and Angelica (1910)

"Roger and Angelica" (1910), a captivating and dreamlike painting by Odilon Redon, skillfully entwines vibrant color with haunting mythological narrative. Drawing from the rich literary fabric of Ludovico Ariosto's epic poem "Orlando Furioso," Redon brings an ethereal visual interpretation that is both enchanting and enigmatic.This painting captures a powerful moment of rescue and emotion. Angelica, a beautiful princess who was bound to a rock by pirates and left as a sacrifice to a sea monster, is depicted at the cusp of salvation. Roger, the hero who comes to her aid on a flying hippogriff, is portrayed here amidst a swirl of sumptuous blue and verdant tints that suggest the turbulence and surrealism of both the ocean and the sky.Redon's use of color in this work is masterful and symbolic. The deep blues and lush greens create a feeling of deep water and mystical seas, while the lighter, almost vaporous shades surrounding Angelica evoke a sense of innocence and otherworldly presence. His brushwork provides a fluidity that seems almost in motion, emphasizing the dynamic scene of rescue.The portrayal here is less about detailed realism and more about conveying feeling and mood. The abstract forms and the interplay of light and shadow operate to stir the viewer’s emotions and draw them into this moment of heroic deliverance.