Artwork
Upon Awakening I Saw the Goddess of the Intelligible with Her Severe and Hard Profile
Upon Awakening I Saw the Goddess of the Intelligible with Her Severe and Hard Profile is a print by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This print is part of Odilon Redon's Homage to Goya series, a collection of six lithographs created as a tribute to Francisco de Goya. The series showcases Redon's early experimentation with lithography and explores themes of dreams and the subconscious.
Subject & Meaning
The print features a woman's profile with closed eyes, set against a dark, smoky background. The title, 'Upon Awakening I Saw the Goddess of the Intelligible with Her Severe and Hard Profile', is derived from a poem, but Redon left its meaning open to interpretation.
Technique & Style
Redon employed lithography to achieve a range of tonal values, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The use of sfumato, a technique that softens edges, adds to the enigmatic quality of the image. This work is characteristic of Redon's 'noirs', a series of dark, moody prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Bertrand-Jean Redon on 20 April 1840 in Bordeaux, the artist adopted the name Odilon from his mother, Marie-Odile.
