The artwork titled “Struggle between Woman and Centaur” was created by the artist Odilon Redon around the year 1905. This piece was rendered in pastel on paper and is categorized within the mythological painting genre, which draws heavily upon the Symbolism movement. Currently, the artwork is part of a private collection.
In the artwork, a dramatic scene is depicted featuring a woman and a centaur engaged in an intense encounter. The centaur, a mythical creature with the upper body of a human and the lower body and legs of a horse, exhibits a dark and powerful form, creating a stark contrast against the softer appearance of the woman. The composition captures a moment of struggle or confrontation between the two figures amidst a vibrant backdrop that seems to be filled with the warm hues of a setting or rising sun.
The pastel medium allows for a rich interplay of colors and textures, resulting in a dream-like quality that is typical of Redon’s work. The background is rendered with bright, almost ethereal colors that imbue the scene with a sense of otherworldliness. This effect is heightened by the bold outlines and a somewhat ambiguous interaction between the figures, which draws the viewer into the symbolic and emotional depth characteristic of Symbolist artwork.