Artwork
Vase of Flowers
Vase of Flowers is an unspecified painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This still life features a vibrant floral arrangement, characteristic of the French Symbolist's exploration of light and form during the Post-Impressionist era.
Odilon Redon's *Vase of Flowers*, painted in 1905, exemplifies the artist's later work in color. This still life features a vibrant floral arrangement, characteristic of the French Symbolist's exploration of light and form during the Post-Impressionist era. The painting is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art, representing a significant shift from his earlier monochromatic compositions.
Technique & Style
Initially recognized for his charcoal drawings and lithographs, known as *noirs*, Redon transitioned to pastels and oils around the 1890s, embracing a more chromatic palette. In *Vase of Flowers*, the artist employs a loose, expressive brushwork, creating visible texture and dynamic energy. The vibrant hues of red, orange, yellow, white, and green flowers, set against a brown background in a white vase, showcase his mastery of color.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents a traditional still life, depicting a profusion of colorful blossoms in a vase. While seemingly straightforward, Redon's floral arrangements often transcended mere representation, imbued with the evocative and dreamlike qualities central to Symbolism. The vivid, almost luminous quality of the flowers suggests an inner vision or a spiritual dimension, inviting contemplation beyond their natural beauty.
Context
Created during the Post-Impressionist period, *Vase of Flowers* reflects Odilon Redon's position within the Symbolist movement. This artistic current sought to express ideas and emotions through symbolic imagery rather than direct observation. Redon's move from his earlier somber *noirs* to richly colored works like this still life marked a personal evolution, yet maintained his characteristic introspection and imaginative approach to art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Bertrand-Jean Redon on 20 April 1840 in Bordeaux, the artist adopted the name Odilon from his mother, Marie-Odile.
