The artwork “In the section” by artist Odilon Redon dates back to 1879. Executed as a lithograph on paper, it measures 24.4 x 16 cm and falls within the Symbolism movement. This particular work is part of the “In the Dream” series and is recognized for its symbolic painting genre.
The artwork presents a striking and poignant visual, composed with stark contrasts achieved through the medium of lithography. It features a disembodied head resting atop a dark pedestal, with a blank, contemplative expression on the face. The pedestal sits on a checkered floor, implying a confined space. The background is rendered with deep shadows, enhancing the dream-like and unsettling quality of the scene. Redon’s composition evokes a range of emotional responses, inviting the viewer to ponder the underlying symbolic meaning, characteristic of the Symbolist movement’s fascination with the idea of revealing an inner vision or the workings of the subconscious mind.