Roger and Angelica (c.1909) by Odilon Redon

Roger and Angelica - Odilon Redon - c.1909

Artwork Information

TitleRoger and Angelica
ArtistOdilon Redon
Datec.1909
Art MovementSymbolism
Current LocationKröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands

About Roger and Angelica

The artwork “Roger and Angelica” was created by Odilon Redon around 1909 and is an exemplar of the Symbolist movement. It is categorized as a literary painting, given its inspiration from a narrative source. This piece is part of the collection at the Kröller-Müller Museum, located in Otterlo, Netherlands.

The artwork portrays a vibrant, dreamlike scene marked by an ethereal, almost otherworldly atmosphere, which is characteristic of Redon’s Symbolist approach. The viewer’s attention might be immediately drawn to the central figure of a creature that dominates the composition, depicted in dark, rich tones. This creature is intricately detailed and seems to be in motion, contributing to a sense of surreal dynamism within the painting.

The background features a blend of lighter colors, with blues, yellows, and hints of red, suggesting a sky or an abstract landscape that defies concrete interpretation. The juxtaposition of the tangible, shadowy creature against the immaterial, diffuse background creates a stark contrast and could be seen as an embodiment of the Symbolist’s intent to express the intangible and the mysterious.

Abstract forms and colors swirl around the creature, while to the right, a circular motif with reddish hues and what could be interpreted as flames or floral elements adds to the fantastical quality of the composition. The use of color, light, and shadow imparts the sense of a fleeting moment caught in time, imbued with emotional resonance and symbolic meaning.

Overall, the artwork is emblematic of Redon’s style and the Symbolist movement’s affinity for the enigmatic and the spiritual, as it seems to invite the viewer into a mystical realm where the real and the imagined converge.

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