Still Life – The Dream (c.1904) by Odilon Redon

Still Life - The Dream - Odilon Redon - c.1904

Artwork Information

TitleStill Life - The Dream
ArtistOdilon Redon
Datec.1904
Mediumoil,canvas
Art MovementSymbolism
Current LocationPrivate Collection

About Still Life - The Dream

The artwork titled “Still Life – The Dream” was created by the artist Odilon Redon around 1904. This symbolic painting is executed in oil on canvas and is a quintessential piece of the Symbolism art movement. As with much of Redon’s work from this period, the subject matter delves into the realm of the subconscious, marrying visual representation with deeper metaphorical significance. Presently, the artwork is held in a private collection.

In “Still Life – The Dream,” Odilon Redon presents a composition that is rich in symbolic content and emotional resonance. The artwork foregrounds a spectral figure, perhaps a personification of a dream, rendered with a soft, muted palette that gives the apparition a ghostly presence. The figure’s face is solemn, with closed eyes that suggest introspection or slumber. Surrounding this central figure are elements that can be interpreted as symbols from a dream: bright, vividly colored flowers bloom beside the face, providing a stark contrast to the dusky tones that dominate much of the canvas. The palette is simultaneously muted and striking, with dark, amorphous shapes in the background and splashes of radiant color in the foreground.

The artist’s utilization of color and form holds significance within the Symbolist movement, wherein artists sought to convey the ineffable — emotions, dreams, and the mysteries of the human psyche — rather than to simply imitate the outside world. With this artwork, Redon contributes to the Symbolist dialogue, exploring themes of inner experience and the power of the subconscious mind.

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