Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1894, this black lithograph belongs to Odilon Redon’s early series of monochrome prints known as the *noirs*. The work presents a solitary, pale visage dominating the composition, beneath a diminutive, winged figure that appears to be playing a violin. Rendered solely in shades of black, gray, and white, the image conveys a quiet, otherworldly atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The central element is a large, softly defined face that seems lost in contemplation, while a small angelic figure hovers above, its wings and violin suggesting a blend of music and the ethereal. The juxtaposition of the human and the celestial invites interpretations of inner reflection, the presence of the unseen, or a dialogue between the material and the spiritual.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the piece relies on the artist’s manipulation of ink on a stone surface to achieve a range of tonal values without color. Redon’s handling of line and wash creates a dreamlike, almost nebulous quality, characteristic of his Symbolist approach during this period, emphasizing mood over precise detail.
History & Provenance
Redon, a French Symbolist, initially worked chiefly in charcoal and lithography before expanding into pastels and oils in the 1880s. This print reflects his pre‑1880s focus on black-and-white media and was produced before his later, more colorful phase. Its provenance traces back to Redon’s own studio output, though specific ownership records are limited.
Context
The *noirs* series emerged at a time when Symbolist artists sought to convey inner visions and emotional states through ambiguous, often monochromatic imagery. Redon’s work aligns with contemporaneous explorations of the subconscious, positioning the lithograph within broader late‑19th‑century movements that favored suggestion over narrative clarity.
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Bertrand-Jean Redon on 20 April 1840 in Bordeaux, the artist adopted the name Odilon from his mother, Marie-Odile.
