The artwork “Tree Against a Yellow Background” was crafted by artist Odilon Redon in 1901. Redon, a proponent of the Symbolist movement, employed various mediums, including oil, pastel, canvas, and tempera, to bring this piece to life. With its dimensions of 185 by 249.5 centimeters, this landscape genre painting is currently housed at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.
The artwork exemplifies Redon’s distinctive use of vivid color and dreamlike portrayal of nature to evoke emotional resonance rather than to depict reality. The dominating feature of the composition is a tree that appears almost etched into the intense yellow backdrop. The variety of brush strokes and the subtle introduction of contrasting hues create an impression of depth and complexity. Dabs of reds, greens, and whites hint at flowers and foliage, providing a sense of lushness and vitality within the scene. Despite the seemingly spontaneous application of color, there is a harmonious blend that aligns with the Symbolist objective of conveying meaning beyond the mere visual representation. The tree stands as a potent symbol in this warm, almost otherworldly, yellow environment, perhaps alluding to themes of life, nature, or spirituality, common within Symbolist art.