“The Red Sphinx,” created circa 1912 by Odilon Redon, is a symbolic painting that belongs to the Symbolism art movement. Redon crafted this artwork using pastel on paper, which measures approximately 61 by 49.5 centimeters. Currently, the artwork resides within a private collection, away from public display.
The artwork depicts a dream-like scene characterized by its vibrant use of color and diffuse, almost ethereal application of the medium. Dominant within the artwork is the enigmatic form of a red figure, possibly a sphinx-like creature, which is situated amid a variety of abstract forms and a richly colored environment. The background features a dark, deep blue sky that contrasts sharply with the brilliant reds and yellows foreground, lending the piece an air of mystery and dramatic intensity. The use of pastel yields a soft texture throughout the composition, further contributing to the overall fantastical and other-worldly atmosphere Redon is renowned for. True to the Symbolist preoccupation with the representation of ideas and emotions, “The Red Sphinx” invites contemplation and evokes a sense of mystical or poetic introspection.
