Oriental Woman (c.1897) by Odilon Redon

Oriental Woman - Odilon Redon - c.1897

Artwork Information

TitleOriental Woman
ArtistOdilon Redon
Datec.1897
Mediumpastel,paper
Art MovementSymbolism
Current LocationMusée d'Orsay, Paris, France

About Oriental Woman

The artwork titled “Oriental Woman,” created by Odilon Redon around 1897, is a pastel on paper that embodies the Symbolist art movement. This genre painting is housed in the collection of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France. As a work of Symbolism, it is likely to engage themes that are evocative more than representational, emphasizing mood and emotion rather than direct narrative.

Upon observing the artwork, one can discern a solitary figure draped in a vibrant red garment that emanates a sense of deep solemnity and mystery, characteristic of Redon’s exploration of the ineffable. The use of pastel creates a soft texture that lends the figure a dreamlike quality, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. The background is rendered with contrasting colors, and the interplay of light and shadow further accentuates the ethereal feel of the piece.

The figure, presumably a woman given the title, is depicted in profile, facing leftward and shrouded in a flowing red veil or cloak that envelops her entirely, suggesting a narrative of seclusion or perhaps introspection. The blend of warm and cool hues, along with the ephemeral treatment of form, exemplifies Redon’s fascination with the unseen and the symbolic representation of internal states over external realities. The artwork invites contemplation, beckoning the viewer to look beyond the visible and engage with the emotional and spiritual undercurrents that Redon masterfully evokes.

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