Artwork
Le bain de Vénus (El baño de Venus)
Le bain de Vénus (El baño de Venus) is an oil painting by Odilon Redon. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina.
About this work
Overview
Its composition balances a central standing figure with a richly colored, loosely rendered landscape that suggests both serenity and subtle dynamism.
Created in 1900, this oil painting by French Symbolist Odilon Redon depicts a solitary female figure set within an abundant garden. The work is catalogued under mythological subjects and resides in the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires. Its composition balances a central standing figure with a richly colored, loosely rendered landscape that suggests both serenity and subtle dynamism.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, clothed in a light blouse and a dark, flowing skirt, appears to be in a moment of graceful motion, arms extended as if caught in a dance. Surrounded by an array of blossoms and foliage, the scene evokes the classical motif of Venus bathing, inviting contemplation of beauty, nature, and the timeless allure of mythic femininity.
Technique & Style
Redon employed oil on canvas with a palette of muted greens, blues, and yellows, allowing the colors to blend softly while preserving distinct brushstroke texture. The handling of paint conveys a tactile surface, especially in the foliage and drapery, reflecting the artist’s transition from his earlier monochrome charcoal works to a more chromatic, lyrical approach characteristic of his late period.
History & Provenance
After abandoning his signature black-and-white 'noirs' in the 1890s, Redon turned to pastel and oil media, culminating in works like this piece. By the turn of the century, his mythological subjects found a receptive audience, and the painting eventually entered the holdings of Buenos Aires’ National Museum of Fine Arts, where it remains part of the museum’s permanent collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Bertrand-Jean Redon on 20 April 1840 in Bordeaux, the artist adopted the name Odilon from his mother, Marie-Odile.
Museum
National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina
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