Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1885, this lithograph with chine appliqué belongs to Odilon Redon’s early period, when he concentrated on monochrome works often termed his *noirs*. The image presents a large, round head beneath a black hat, its wide eyes fixed on the viewer, set against a tangled, shadowy background rendered entirely in black and white.
Subject & Meaning
The composition does not aim for realistic portraiture; instead it evokes a dreamlike, uncanny presence. The exposed eyes, framed by the obscuring hat, suggest a gaze that penetrates the viewer, while the surrounding indistinct foliage contributes to an atmosphere of mystery and inner imagination characteristic of Symbolist concerns.
Technique & Style
Redon combined traditional lithographic printing with chine appliqué, a method that involves adhering cut paper shapes onto the printed surface. This hybrid approach enhances the flat, tonal qualities of the lithograph with tactile, layered elements, reinforcing the work’s surreal, floating quality and its stark monochromatic palette.
History & Provenance
The print emerged during Redon’s rise within the Symbolist movement, gaining broader recognition after being mentioned in Joris‑Karl Huysmans’s 1884 novel *À rebours*. It exemplifies the artist’s pre‑1900 focus on dark, imaginative imagery, preceding his later transition to brighter pastels and oil paintings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Bertrand-Jean Redon on 20 April 1840 in Bordeaux, the artist adopted the name Odilon from his mother, Marie-Odile.
