Artwork

Untitled

Untitled, by Odilon Redon, graphite, 1877
Untitled, by Odilon Redon, graphite, 1877

Untitled is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1877 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 1877, executed in pencil and colored conté crayon on paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a person in profile, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and ruffled collar, with their hand resting on their chest. The loose, sketchy style suggests a quick study or personal note.

Technique & Style

Redon used a combination of pencil and colored conté crayon, reserving the latter for details such as the collar and hat. The background features faint cross-hatching, adding texture to the work.

History & Provenance

Redon's work, including this drawing, gained recognition after being mentioned in Joris-Karl Huysmans' 1884 novel À rebours. At the time, Redon was primarily known for his monochromatic noirs, produced in charcoal and lithography.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Odilon Redon

Artist

Odilon Redon

Born Bertrand-Jean Redon on 20 April 1840 in Bordeaux, the artist adopted the name Odilon from his mother, Marie-Odile.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museum of Modern Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.