The artwork, titled “Profile of a Child (Profile of a Girl with Bird of Paradise),” was crafted by the artist Odilon Redon circa 1908. As a manifestation of the Symbolism art movement, this portrait genre piece is maintained within a private collection, and it conveys the characteristic mystical and dreamlike qualities associated with Redon’s oeuvre.
In the artwork, a young girl is depicted in profile, her face rendered with soft, delicate lines against a pale background that gives an ethereal quality to her presence. She is adorned with a headscarf, which is meticulously detailed, featuring intricate patterns and a transparent quality that hints at a sophisticated mastery of light and texture. The choice of a subdued palette gives a serene and contemplative atmosphere to the girl’s countenance.
To her side, an eruption of vibrant color introduces a striking contrast, where a bird of paradise is vividly portrayed amidst a flurry of brushstrokes that suggest its dynamic movement and exotic beauty. The use of such a majestic bird, particularly in a genre as personal and introspective as the portrait, is typical of Symbolism’s aim to evoke emotion and ideas through powerful symbols rather than direct representation.
Fluttering around the bird, insects like butterflies add to the sense of life and enchantment, creating a scene where nature, humanity, and perhaps the girl’s own thoughts and dreams, intertwine. The luminosity of the colors and the interplay of reality with imagination speaks to the unique visual language that Odilon Redon employed to convey emotional resonance rather than just visual comprehension.
By incorporating elements of the fantastical and mystical, the artwork stands as a testament to the Symbolist movement’s departure from naturalism, inviting the viewer to explore a deeper, more introspective narrative hidden within the confines of a seemingly simple portrait.