Artwork
Untitled
Untitled is a charcoal drawing by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1881 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
About this work
Overview
Untitled is a drawing created by Odilon Redon around 1881, using chalk and charcoal on paper. It is characteristic of his early work, which was dominated by charcoal and lithography.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a bald man in a dark robe, gazing downward with a neutral expression. His right hand rests near his heart, conveying a somber and contemplative atmosphere. The image invites interpretation of the subject's emotional or spiritual state.
Technique & Style
Redon employed chalk and charcoal to achieve a range of tonal values, from the deep blacks of the background to the subtle nuances of the subject's face and clothing. The use of these media was typical of his early work, known as his 'noirs'.
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Bertrand-Jean Redon on 20 April 1840 in Bordeaux, the artist adopted the name Odilon from his mother, Marie-Odile.
