The artwork entitled “Closed Eyes” is a portrait created by Odilon Redon around 1895. This exemplary piece, rendered in pastel on paper, is a significant contribution to the Symbolist art movement. With its whereabouts in a private collection, the artwork reflects the essence of Symbolism through its subject and stylistic approach.
In “Closed Eyes,” the viewer is presented with a tranquil portrait of a figure, presumably female, depicted with serene, closed eyelids that evoke a sense of introspection or escape into a dreamlike state. The figure is centered in the composition, with shoulders and bust subtly portrayed, suggesting a classical influence in the depiction of the human form. The skin tone is rendered in a soft, earthy palette, contrasting with the strikingly vibrant and abstract background.
The backdrop of the artwork is quite remarkably experimental, utilizing a kaleidoscope of colors that dance around the central figure, perhaps illustrating the invisible thoughts or emotions of the subject. It is rich with floral and organic motifs, conjuring an otherworldly garden. The colors range from deep, mystical blues to bright, warm pinks and reds, intermingled with hints of white and yellow, creating a vivid contrast to the figure’s passive and muted presence.
This intricate interplay of color and form captures the Symbolist movement’s pursuit to represent the unseen, the emotional, and the spiritual. Redon’s “Closed Eyes” invites contemplation, suggesting narratives that transcend the physical appearance of the subject and venture into the realms of the personal and the universal. It stands as a testament to the power of art to communicate complex inner worlds and emotional landscapes without the need for direct representation.
