Artwork
Maurice Denis
Maurice Denis is an ink print by Odilon Redon. It dates from 1903 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
The beard and mustache are simple lines, and the shading is light, leaving parts of the paper visible.
This sketch shows a side view of a man’s face and neck. His hair is drawn in quick, rough strokes, almost like feathers. The beard and mustache are simple lines, and the shading is light, leaving parts of the paper visible.
The drawing looks like it was made fast—maybe just a quick study. The year "1903" is scribbled in the corner, but nothing else is clear.
If you like this sketchy style, look up lithography to see how it works.
Overview
Maurice Denis is a lithographic print executed by the French symbolist Odilon Redon in 1903. The work presents a profile study of a male figure, rendered with minimal detail and a spontaneous hand, characteristic of Redon’s exploratory sketches on paper.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a side view of a man's face and neck, emphasizing the contours of hair, beard and moustache through loose, gestural lines. The simplified portrayal invites contemplation of the sitter’s identity, focusing more on the act of drawing than on narrative content.
Technique & Style
Created with lithography, Redon employed swift, feather‑like strokes for the hair and restrained linear marks for facial hair, allowing the white of the paper to remain visible. Light shading provides just enough tonal variation, giving the impression of a rapid, on‑the‑spot study rather than a finished composition.
History & Provenance
The print bears a handwritten date, "1903," in the lower corner, confirming its production year. Beyond this internal evidence, no further documentation of ownership or exhibition history is presently recorded for the piece.
Context
During the early twentieth century Redon experimented with various printmaking techniques, including lithography, to explore new expressive possibilities. This work aligns with his broader interest in capturing fleeting impressions and the psychological presence of his subjects through economical means.
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Bertrand-Jean Redon on 20 April 1840 in Bordeaux, the artist adopted the name Odilon from his mother, Marie-Odile.
