Artwork

Lueur precaire, une tete a l'infini suspendue(Precarious glimmering, a head suspended

Lueur precaire, une tete a l'infini suspendue(Precarious glimmering, a head suspended is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Lueur precaire, une tete a l'infini suspendue (Precarious Glimmering, a Head Suspended) is a lithograph created by Odilon Redon in 1891, characterized by a suspended head enveloped in a faint, precarious light within a dark, shadowy environment.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a head in mid-air with no visible support, conveys a sense of ethereal suspension. The precarious light surrounding it may symbolize the fragility of existence or the sublime, inviting interpretation of the head's state and its relation to the hinted, dark landscape below.

Technique & Style

Redon employed bold, rough lines and pronounced dark shading to render the head, contrasting with the softer, suggestive handling of the shadowy background and the delicate, fading light aura.

History & Provenance

Created in 1891, specific provenance details are not provided, though it aligns with Redon's period of exploring mysticism and the subconscious through printmaking.

Context

This work reflects Redon's interest in Symbolism, emphasizing emotional and psychological depth over realism, and his mastery of lithography to evoke mood and mystery.

Legacy

While specific legacy details for this piece are not outlined, it contributes to Redon's broader influence on early 20th-century printmaking and Symbolist art movements.