The artwork entitled “Upon awakening I saw the Goddess of the Intelligible with her severe and hard profile” is a lithograph on paper created by Odilon Redon in 1885. Measuring 27.6 by 21.7 cm, it is part of the artist’s “Homage to Goya” series and belongs to the Symbolism art movement. As a symbolic painting, this work is notable for its evocative and dreamlike quality.
The lithograph portrays the profile of a figure that is presumed to be the “Goddess of the Intelligible,” as suggested by the title. The subject is depicted with a sense of solemnity and grace, encapsulated by the nuanced play of light and shadow. Redon’s mastery of lithography is evident in the delicate rendering of the facial features and the soft textural contrast between the figure and the surrounding space. The use of symbolism imbues the artwork with a contemplative depth, inviting viewers to explore the mystical and philosophical themes Redon sought to express.