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Bertrand-Jean Redon, also known as Odilon Redon (April 20, 1840 – July 06, 1916), was a renowned artist associated with the movements of ‘Post-Impressionism’ and ‘Symbolism.’ At a young age of 10, Redon showcased his talent by winning a drawing prize at school. While formally studying drawing at 15, his father’s insistence led him to switch to architecture. However, after failing to pass the entrance exam for architecture at École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Redon returned to his true passion of painting. Under the guidance of Rodolphe Bresdin, Redon honed his skills in etching and lithography until his artistic pursuits were momentarily interrupted by his service in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.

In 1878, Redon gained recognition for his creations, namely ‘Guardian Spirit of the Waters’ and his first album of lithographs, ‘Dans le Rêve’ in 1879. During the 1890s, he ventured into the use of pastels and oils, which became prominent elements in his subsequent artworks. In his later years, Redon also contributed to the world of etching and lithography by adding to his catalog of works. His imaginative artworks encompassed a wide range, from human-headed spiders to trembling grounds. Among his notable pieces are ‘Spirit of the Forest’ (1880), ‘Cactus Man’ (1881), ‘The Crying Spider’ (1881), ‘The Buddha’ (1904), and the “Portrait of Violette Heymann.”

The “Portrait of Violette Heymann,” created in 1910 during the final years of Redon’s life, stands as an immensely imaginative masterpiece. Measuring 72 cm x 92 cm, this pastel work portrays a young woman named Violette Heymann surrounded by vividly colored, blooming, and somewhat unfinished flowers. To reflect the essence of the name ‘Violette,’ Redon extensively employs violet hues. Violette is depicted sideways, seated on a chair with only her back supported, while her neck and head remain without support. She appears passive, with an expressionless, flat face. Her attire is simple, lacking elaborate details or style. She wears a high-necked white inner garment with a greenish-blue outer garment adorned with a golden border. Her black shoulder-length hair is pinned at the back.

Redon described his works as ambiguous and undefinable, stating, “I have often, as an exercise and as sustenance, painted before an object down to the smallest accidents of its visual appearance; but the day left me sad and with an insatiate thirst. The next day I let the other source run, that of imagination, through the recollection of the forms and I was then reassured and appeased.” By infusing his own thoughts and psyche into his art, Redon aimed to “place the visible at the service of the invisible.” This same ambiguity is reflected in Violette’s expression, which prompted mixed reactions to this particular artwork. Currently, the “Portrait of Violette Heymann” is on display at the Museum of Art in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Ihab Salloum