# Odilon Redon

> French painter (1840–1916)

**Wikidata**: [Q154349](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q154349)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odilon_Redon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/odilon-redon

## Summary
Odilon Redon was a French painter, illustrator, printmaker, and sculptor (1840–1916) renowned for his contributions to Symbolism and Post-Impressionism. His works, including *The Cyclops* (1914), are celebrated for their dreamlike imagery, innovative techniques, and emotional depth, influencing modern art movements.

## Biography
- **Born**: April 20 or 22, 1840, in Bordeaux, France
- **Nationality**: French
- **Education**: Studied under Jean-Léon Gérôme and others; influenced by Francisco Goya and Eugène Delacroix
- **Known for**: Pioneering Symbolist art through paintings, lithographs, and illustrations
- **Employer(s)**: Independent artist; affiliated with avant-garde circles in Paris
- **Field(s)**: Painting, printmaking, lithography, sculpture, illustration

## Contributions
Odilon Redon created a vast body of work spanning multiple genres, including:
- *The Cyclops* (1914): A seminal painting blending mythological themes with Symbolist aesthetics.
- **Lithographs and Prints**: Produced numerous prints and lithographs, contributing to the revival of printmaking as a fine art form.
- **Illustrations**: Collaborated on literary projects, merging visual art with narrative storytelling.
- **Genre and History Painting**: Explored themes from everyday life (*genre art*) and historical events (*history painting*), often with a surreal twist.
- **Landscapes and Portraits**: Developed a unique style in landscape and portraiture, emphasizing mood and atmosphere over realism.

## FAQs
**What is Odilon Redon best known for?**
Odilon Redon is best known for his Symbolist paintings and lithographs, which often feature dreamlike, fantastical imagery. His work *The Cyclops* (1914) exemplifies his ability to merge mythological themes with emotional depth.

**What artistic movements did Odilon Redon influence?**
Redon was a key figure in Symbolism and Post-Impressionism, influencing later movements like Surrealism. His use of color, form, and psychological themes paved the way for modernist experimentation.

**Who influenced Odilon Redon’s art?**
Redon was influenced by Francisco Goya’s dark, expressive style and Eugène Delacroix’s dramatic compositions. These inspirations shaped his own approach to blending realism with fantasy.

**What awards did Odilon Redon receive?**
Redon was awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honour, recognizing his contributions to French art and culture.

**Where are Odilon Redon’s works displayed?**
His works are held in major museums worldwide, including the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and the Museum of Modern Art in New York, showcasing his enduring legacy in modern art.

## Why They Matter
Odilon Redon’s work bridged 19th-century Symbolism and 20th-century modernism, reshaping artistic expression through his exploration of the subconscious and dreamlike imagery. His influence extended to Surrealists like Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst, who adopted his techniques and themes. Without Redon, modern art might lack its emphasis on psychological depth and symbolic storytelling.

## Notable For
- Pioneered Symbolist art, blending myth, dreams, and reality in paintings and lithographs.
- Created *The Cyclops* (1914), a landmark work in modern art.
- Awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honour for his contributions to French culture.
- Influenced by and influenced major artists like Goya and Delacroix.
- Work spans multiple genres: painting, printmaking, illustration, and sculpture.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Odilon Redon was born on April 20 or 22, 1840, in Bordeaux, France. He studied under Jean-Léon Gérôme and was deeply influenced by the works of Francisco Goya and Eugène Delacroix, whose dramatic and expressive styles shaped his artistic vision.

### Artistic Career and Movements
Redon became a central figure in Symbolism, a movement that emphasized emotion, imagination, and spiritual themes over realism. His works often featured fantastical creatures, dreamlike landscapes, and psychological depth, setting him apart from contemporaries. He also contributed to Post-Impressionism, experimenting with color and form in ways that foreshadowed modernist techniques.

### Notable Works
- *The Cyclops* (1914): A defining work that merges mythological themes with Symbolist aesthetics.
- **Lithographs and Prints**: Redon revitalized lithography as a fine art medium, producing intricate prints that explored themes of mystery and the subconscious.
- **Illustrations**: Collaborated with writers, creating visual narratives that complemented literary works.
- **Genre and History Painting**: His *genre art* depicted everyday life with a surreal twist, while his *history paintings* reimagined classical themes through a Symbolist lens.

### Influence and Legacy
Redon’s work influenced later movements like Surrealism, with artists such as Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst drawing inspiration from his dreamlike imagery. His emphasis on psychological and symbolic content helped shift art toward modernist experimentation. Today, his works are celebrated in major museums, cementing his role as a bridge between 19th-century Symbolism and 20th-century avant-garde art.

### Awards and Recognition
Redon was honored with the Knight of the Legion of Honour, a prestigious French award recognizing his contributions to art and culture. His legacy endures through exhibitions and scholarly studies, highlighting his impact on modern art history.

### Affiliations and Collaborations
Redon was part of Parisian avant-garde circles, collaborating with writers and artists who shared his interest in Symbolist themes. His connections with figures like Stéphane Mallarmé and Joris-Karl Huysmans furthered his influence in literary and artistic spheres.

### Personal Life and Death
Redon died on July 6, 1916, in Paris, France. His personal life remains less documented than his artistic output, but his works continue to inspire artists and scholars, reflecting his enduring relevance in art history.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. RKDartists
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4. KulturNav. 2016
5. Museum of Modern Art online collection
6. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/person/odilon-redon-1840)
7. [Source](http://kmska.be/collection/work/data/9oqtm5)
8. Union List of Artist Names. 2021
9. Czech National Authority Database
10. The Fine Art Archive
11. [Femme dans les fleurs](https://www.stedelijk.nl/nl/collectie/17900-odilon-redon-femme-dans-les-fleurs)
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17. [Source](https://archives.yvelines.fr/rechercher/archives-en-ligne/correspondances-du-musee-departemental-maurice-denis/correspondances-du-musee-maurice-denis)
18. Odilon Redon. RKDartists
19. [Bertrand Redon. Léonore database](http://www.culture.gouv.fr/public/mistral/leonore_fr?ACTION=CHERCHER&FIELD_1=COTE&VALUE_1=LH/2282/58)
20. Odilon Redon. Kunstindeks Danmark
21. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
22. SNAC
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24. Redon, Odilon
25. Roglo
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27. [birth certificate](https://archives.bordeaux-metropole.fr/ark:/75241/vta36607828297c27e3/daoloc/0/layout:table/idsearch:RECH_94457120addad0255de10ab52392b35c#id:1511393305?gallery=true&brightness=100.00&contrast=100.00&center=2749.898,-1808.342&zoom=9&rotation=0.000&lock=true)
28. [death certificate](https://archives.paris.fr/arkotheque/visionneuse/visionneuse.php?arko=YTo2OntzOjQ6ImRhdGUiO3M6MTA6IjIwMjItMDktMjgiO3M6MTA6InR5cGVfZm9uZHMiO3M6MTE6ImFya29fc2VyaWVsIjtzOjQ6InJlZjEiO2k6NDtzOjQ6InJlZjIiO2k6MjY2NjEwO3M6MTY6InZpc2lvbm5ldXNlX2h0bWwiO2I6MTtzOjIxOiJ2aXNpb25uZXVzZV9odG1sX21vZGUiO3M6NDoicHJvZCI7fQ==#uielem_move=129%2C105&uielem_islocked=0&uielem_zoom=115&uielem_brightness=0&uielem_contrast=0&uielem_isinverted=0&uielem_rotate=F)
29. general catalog of BnF
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34. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
35. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
36. [Source](https://www.theartstory.org/artist/redon-odilon/)
37. Virtual International Authority File
38. artist list of the National Museum of Sweden. 2016
39. [Source](https://www.documenta.de/en/retrospective/documenta_iii)
40. CONOR.SI
41. Autoritats UB
42. Museum of Modern Art
43. Source
44. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
45. Enciclopedia Treccani
46. LIBRIS. 2018
47. [Source](http://pba-opacweb.lille.fr/fr/search-notice?type=list&filters%5Bfacets.id%5D%5B%5D=5cc2aedf5c0284355b8b4a2a)
48. [Source](https://ihoi.org/app/photopro.sk/ihoi_icono/home)
49. Metropolitan Museum of Art
50. [Source](https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/collection?q=&Artist=Odilon+Redon)