Artwork
Le char d'Apollon
Le char d'Apollon is an oil painting by Odilon Redon. It dates from 1908 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
Le char d'Apollon is a 1908 oil painting by French Symbolist artist Odilon Redon, characteristic of his later work in its use of color and imaginative subject matter.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a mythological scene: a chariot drawn by four white horses appears to float above a rocky surface, set against a backdrop of greens, blues, and white clouds, evoking a sense of dynamic movement.
Technique & Style
Redon's shift to oil painting in the 1890s allowed for greater exploration of color and texture, evident in Le char d'Apollon's dreamlike composition and vivid palette, marking a departure from his earlier monochromatic works.
History & Provenance
The painting is now part of the Fitzwilliam Museum's collection, exemplifying Redon's later style after he abandoned his characteristic noirs around 1900.
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Bertrand-Jean Redon on 20 April 1840 in Bordeaux, the artist adopted the name Odilon from his mother, Marie-Odile.
