The artwork “Violette Haymann” is a creation of artist Odilon Redon, dated circa 1910. This oil on canvas portrait is a representation of the Symbolism art movement, with the dimensions of the work measuring 30.16 x 22.23 cm. Classified as a portrait, the artwork is part of a private collection.
In the artwork, we are presented with an intimate portrayal of a female subject, depicted in profile. The color palette employed by Redon is rich yet subdued, characteristic of his fascination with dreamlike atmospheres and evocative moods, which align with the Symbolist movement. The brushstrokes appear loose and expressive, imparting a sense of transient immediacy to the viewer.
Furthermore, there is a compelling contrast created between the light and dark tones, with the subject’s face and ruffled collar catching the light, drawing viewers’ attention to these elements. The warm background hues accentuate the figure’s form and suggest depth. The woman’s attire, including what appears to be a hat and a high-collared garment, implies a certain period elegance, befitting the era in which Redon worked.
The woman’s downward gaze and the reserved composition call for introspection, allowing viewers to ponder the subject’s thoughts and the atmosphere of the moment. This portrayal, with its blend of the real and the imagined, is emblematic of the Symbolist goal to evoke rather than to describe, placing emphasis on the emotional and mystical inner life over the representational accuracy.
