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Symbolic Head

c. 1890
(French, 1840–1916)
France, 19th century
oil on paper mounted on canvas
Framed: 69 x 54.5 x 7.5 cm (27 3/16 x 21 7/16 x 2 15/16 in.); Unframed: 53.3 x 38 cm (21 x 14 15/16 in.)
Gift of the Mildred Andrews Fund 1988.91
Location: not on view
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Did You Know?

Symbolism was a reaction against Realism and Redon is one of the most important artists affiliated with this movement. The symbolist painters used mystical dreamlike images that were highly personal in their work.

Description

One of Redon’s favorite themes was a head depicted in profile, sometimes separated from the body to symbolize the spirit released from the material world. It also suggests a metaphor for abandoning physical reality for the inner realm of dreams, fantasy, and poetic reverie. This painting conveys the idea of inward-turning vision by framing the head in a series of collapsing rectangles. Conservation analysis confirms that the figure is a woman wearing a helmet and holding a green staff in her right hand.
Symbolic Head

Symbolic Head

c. 1890

Odilon Redon

(French, 1840–1916)
France, 19th century

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