Ophelia (fragment/detail)
Painting on canvas • Odilon Redon
Style & Movement
Symbolism
Medium & Technique
Oil and pastel on canvas. The technique utilizes a combination of soft-edged dabs (pointillist influence), thinning of paint to achieve a misty, ethereal quality, and layered impasto in the floral highlights.
Creation Period
Circa 1900-1905
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 73 x 54 cm (standard medium format), vertical portrait orientation.
Subject Description
The painting depicts the Shakespearean figure Ophelia amidst a dreamlike, floral landscape. The composition is non-naturalistic, where flowers and organic shapes seem to float in a golden, hazy ether rather than adhering to traditional perspective. Two vertical tree trunks on the right anchor the ethereal field of vibrant blues, yellows, and oranges.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The surface shows minor aging consistent with early 20th-century oil on canvas, though the colors remains vibrant.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500,000 - $3,000,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,200,000 - $2,500,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely passed through Parisian galleries specializing in Symbolist art, such as Galerie Durand-Ruel, before entering private collections. Redon's late-career floral works were highly sought after by modern collectors in both Europe and America.
Art Historical Significance
Odilon Redon was a leading figure of French Symbolism. This work represents his transition from his 'Noirs' (dark lithographs/charcoals) into his 'color period.' It is a significant example of how he synthesized botanical accuracy with mystical, internal visions, influencing later Surrealist and Abstract Expressionist movements.
Notable Features
The distinctive blend of media—oil paint used with the lightness of pastel—is a hallmark of Redon’s late style. The 'halo-like' orndamental flower clusters serve as symbolic resonators rather than mere decoration.
Condition Issues
Potential for minor surface grime and light craquelure in the more heavily applied yellow passages. Some evidence of thinning in the darker washes due to the age of the medium.
Conservation Recommendations
Requires a stable environment with controlled humidity (45-55%) and UV-filtered lighting. Periodic professional cleaning by a paintings conservator is recommended to maintain the luminosity of the pastels/oils.