Artwork
Closed Eyes
Closed Eyes is a print by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Closed Eyes is a lithographic print by Odilon Redon featuring an androgynous figure with eyes closed, set against a contrasting landscape. The work embodies the artist's exploration of introspection and disconnection from modern society.
Subject & Meaning
The closed eyes signify a deliberate withdrawal into meditation, reflecting Redon's interpretation of this expression as a means to escape the constraints of modern life. The androgynous figure adds a layer of universality to this introspective state.
Technique & Style
Redon employed delicate line work on the lithographic stone, creating subtle modeling and shading for the figure, while the foreground landscape remains sketchy and indistinct. This contrast highlights the figure's introspective focus.
History & Provenance
This unique trial proof was printed during Redon's collaboration with printer Becquet to refine the composition. It was part of an early donation of Redon's lithographs to the museum by the Print Club of Cleveland.
Context
The use of soft, vanishing lines relates to the sfumato technique, commonly used to convey depth and secrecy in portraiture, further emphasizing the figure's inward turn.
Legacy
As one of several works by Redon exploring the closed-eyed figure, 'Closed Eyes' contributes to a broader thematic exploration of introspection in his oeuvre, influencing subsequent artists in their depiction of contemplative states.
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Bertrand-Jean Redon on 20 April 1840 in Bordeaux, the artist adopted the name Odilon from his mother, Marie-Odile.
