The artwork titled “White Pegasus” was created by the artist Odilon Redon around 1908. It was painted using oil on canvas and belongs to the Symbolism movement. Measuring 50 by 65 centimeters, this piece is classified under the mythological painting genre. Currently, it resides in a private collection. The subject matter and style are indicative of the Symbolist movement, which often emphasizes the mystical and the dream-like.
The artwork depicts a scene focused on the figure of a white Pegasus, a mythological creature known for its pure white color and majestic wings. The creature is perched atop what appears to be a rocky outcrop or promontory, rendered with a subtle blend of earthy and warm hues that suggest a connection with the natural world. Its form is gracefully poised, and even though it is stationary, there is a sense of potential movement, as if the creature is readying itself to take flight. The Pegasus is illuminated by a soft glow that contrasts with the more subdued tones of the background.
The surrounding environment is composed of expressive brushstrokes in a palette of soft blues, pinks, and hints of green, evoking a dreamlike and ethereal atmosphere typical of Redon’s work. The sky and background are suggestive rather than detailed, allowing the imagination to fill in the spaces and encouraging personal interpretation. The Pegasus is rendered with attention to its form and anatomy, yet it retains an otherworldly quality that transcends realistic depiction. This blending of the real and the imaginary is at the core of the Symbolist ethos, seeking to capture the essence of a subject rather than its literal representation.
In sum, “White Pegasus” by Odilon Redon is a finely executed work that encapsulates the Symbolist fascination with myth, allegory, and the power of the unseen to stir the senses and the spirit.