The Raven (1882) by Odilon Redon

The Raven - Odilon Redon - 1882

Artwork Information

TitleThe Raven
ArtistOdilon Redon
Date1882
Art MovementSymbolism
Current LocationNational Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Canada

About The Raven

“The Raven,” created by Odilon Redon in 1882, is a significant work within the Symbolism art movement and belongs to the genre of animal painting. The artwork is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Canada, located in Ottawa, Canada, and reflects the unique style and thematic focus that characterize Redon’s oeuvre and the broader Symbolist movement.

The artwork presents a solitary raven perched within what appears to be a confined space, perhaps a window ledge, enveloped in a muted and ambiguous background. The piece is haunting and introspective, capturing the essence of Symbolism through its evocative imagery and use of dark tones. The raven, a bird often imbued with symbolic meaning across cultures, is captured with meticulous attention to detail, from the gloss of its feathers to its piercing gaze. Redon’s use of chiaroscuro emphasizes the contrast between the dark figure of the raven and its less defined surroundings. The atmospheric quality of the piece, along with the contemplative pose of the raven, invites viewers to reflect on the possible allegorical significance of the bird, a technique that is quintessential to Redon’s approach and the Symbolist movement as a whole.

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