Christ
Print / Lithograph on chine appliqué • Odilon Redon
Style & Movement
Symbolism
Medium & Technique
Lithography on chine appliqué (paper support)
Creation Period
1887
Dimensions & Format
Vertical rectangular format, print dimensions approximately 12 x 9 inches (excluding mount and frame)
Subject Description
A close-up depiction of the head of Christ wearing a crown of thorns, emphasizing expressive tone, wide emotional eyes, and a sharp, oversized crown with prominent thorns.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good / Very Good based on museum display standards, showing clean margins and well-preserved paper tone.
Estimated Market Value
$15,000 - $30,000
Auction Estimate
$10,000 - $20,000
Provenance History
Museum collection (Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco), with visible exhibition label indicating acquisition details.
Art Historical Significance
Demonstrates Odilon Redon's exploration into printmaking as a medium to convey profound psychological and spiritual depth, characteristic of late 19th-century Symbolism.
Notable Features
Printed by Lemercier et Cie, Paris; utilizes scraping tools to highlight the eyes and the oversized crown of thorns, showcasing Redon's distinct technical mastery in lithography.
Condition Issues
No major visible damage, fading, or foxing observed from the current viewing angle; standard aging consistent with late 19th-century works on paper.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in museum-controlled environmental conditions with UV-filtered framing, stable relative humidity, and low-lux lighting to prevent paper degradation.