Closed Eyes (c.1894) by Odilon Redon

Closed Eyes - Odilon Redon - c.1894

Artwork Information

TitleClosed Eyes
ArtistOdilon Redon
Datec.1894
Mediumoil,canvas
Art MovementSymbolism
Current LocationPrivate Collection

About Closed Eyes

The artwork entitled “Closed Eyes,” created by the artist Odilon Redon circa 1894, is an oil painting on canvas that participates in the Symbolism movement. This portrait genre piece is part of a private collection. Redon’s usage of the medium and the tenets of the Symbolist movement contribute to the piece’s ethereal and introspective qualities.

Upon examining the artwork, one is immediately struck by the serene and otherworldly atmosphere it exudes. The central figure, depicted with closed eyes, emanates a sense of introspective tranquility. The muted color palette consists of soft tones, gently blending yellows, blues, and reds to create a dreamlike visage. The subject’s features are softly rendered with the eyes gently closed, suggesting a state of peaceful contemplation or internal vision.

The background of the artwork is minimalist, using the interplay of light and color rather than detail to set a contemplative stage for the figure. There’s a sort of halo effect around the head, emphasizing the spiritual or mystical aura that is often associated with the Symbolist art movement. The ethereality of the pigment application gives the portrait a timeless and universal quality, inviting viewers to reflect on the unseen and internal aspects of experience.

This piece is a poignant example of Redon’s ability to transcend the physical world through art, engaging with themes of the subconscious, the soul, and the mystical. The calming presence of the subject along with the nebulous, almost formless depiction of their upper body and the surrounding space invites a dialogue with the unseen, a hallmark of the Symbolist aesthetic.

Other Artwork from Odilon Redon

More Symbolism Artwork

Scroll to Top