The artwork entitled “Fear” by artist Odilon Redon was created in 1866. This etching on paper is associated with the Symbolism movement and falls within the genre painting category. It is presently housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, located in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
“Fear” by Odilon Redon presents a dramatic and emotive landscape, where a singular ethereal figure appears to flee or move swiftly through a stark, mountainous terrain. The use of stark contrasts between light and dark in the etching accentuates the rugged textures of the rocks and the sweeping movements in the clouds above. The scene evokes a sense of urgency and perhaps foreboding, capturing the viewer’s attention and drawing them into the tumultuous narrative of the artwork. The careful detailing in the etching technique contributes to an overall impression of dynamic tension and the sublime aspect of the natural world, as seen through the lens of the Symbolist ethos which sought to convey the deeper, often mystical or emotional truths beyond the visible realm.