Devil take a head in the air (1876) by Odilon Redon

Devil take a head in the air - Odilon Redon - 1876

Artwork Information

TitleDevil take a head in the air
ArtistOdilon Redon
Date1876
Mediumcharcoal,paper
Dimensions49.5 x 36.5 cm
Art MovementSymbolism

About Devil take a head in the air

The artwork titled “Devil take a head in the air” was created by the artist Odilon Redon in 1876. This work is rendered in charcoal on paper and is a symbolic painting associated with the Symbolism art movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 49.5 x 36.5 cm. It encapsulates the essence of Symbolism, a movement that sought to depict the mystical and the ineffable through suggestive imagery rather than direct representation.

The artwork itself portrays a fantastical and disturbing scene where a creature, presumably the devil due to the dark tones and fearsome expression, is depicted clutching a detached head. The devil seems to be in mid-flight, with its large, wing-like appendages spread out behind it as it soars through an ambiguous space, perhaps the air or an ether-like environment. The floating head exhibits a calm, almost serene expression, contrasting with the dynamic and perhaps aggressive posture of the creature that is holding it. In the background, we observe a faint landscape, with what appears to be a silhouette of a structure on the horizon, adding to the ominous and mysterious atmosphere of the piece. The use of charcoal allows for the play of light and shadow, enhancing the eerie and dreamlike quality of the scene, which is emblematic of Redon’s fascination with the supernatural and the emotional power of the unseen.

Other Artwork from Odilon Redon

More Symbolism Artwork

Scroll to Top