Who painted Léon Fayet (?)?

Léon Fayet (?) was painted by Odilon Redon in 1910.

Where can I see Léon Fayet (?)?

Léon Fayet (?) is held by National Gallery of Art.

Artwork

Léon Fayet (?)

Odilon Redon , 1910

Léon Fayet (?) is a pastel drawing by Odilon Redon. It dates from 1910 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1910, this work by Odilon Redon is a drawing executed in pastel and charcoal on a green‑prepared wove paper. The piece presents a single figure rendered with a soft, muted palette, and the overall composition is framed by a uniform green ground.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait depicts a dark‑haired individual wearing a dark shirt. The sitter faces left while turning the head slightly toward the viewer, suggesting a quiet, introspective presence. No explicit narrative accompanies the image, leaving the expression and pose open to personal interpretation.

Technique & Style

Redon employs pastel to build gentle contours and subtle shading, while charcoal adds definition to the hair and clothing. The application is delicate, with layered tones that convey depth in the skin and a gradual transition from the dark foreground to the luminous background.

History & Provenance

The drawing is catalogued under the tentative title Léon Fayet, though the identification of the sitter remains uncertain. It belongs to Redon’s later period, when he frequently explored portraiture in pastel on prepared papers.

Context

By 1910 Redon had shifted from his earlier symbolist watercolors to a more restrained, realist approach in drawing. This portrait reflects that transition, emphasizing direct observation over allegorical content while retaining his characteristic subtle tonal harmony.

Artist & collection

Artist

Odilon Redon

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

Museum

National Gallery of Art

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