Who painted Perversité?

Perversité was painted by Odilon Redon in 1891.

Where can I see Perversité?

Perversité is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Perversité?

Perversité is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Perversité

Odilon Redon , 1891

Perversité 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

Created in 1891, Perversité is a print by French symbolist Odilon Redon that combines etching with drypoint. Executed on a dark ground, the work presents a solitary figure rendered in stark contrast, its pallid skin set against an almost black backdrop. The composition is compact, focusing attention on the nuanced expression of the subject.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure appears introspective, its head turned slightly to the right, chin lifted, and gaze directed downward. The pale face and neck stand out against the surrounding darkness, suggesting a moment of quiet contemplation or inner rumination. The subdued posture invites viewers to consider themes of solitude and psychological depth.

Technique & Style

Redon employed both traditional etching and the more immediate drypoint method, allowing for fine, delicate lines alongside bolder, more gestural strokes. The interplay of crisp outlines and subtle shading creates a sense of volume, while the incised creases in the skin reveal the artist’s meticulous attention to texture within the print medium.

History & Provenance

Perversité belongs to Redon’s late nineteenth‑century output, a period when he increasingly explored printmaking alongside his paintings and pastels. The work reflects his ongoing interest in the symbolic and the uncanny, and it has been held in several public collections that focus on symbolist and avant‑garde art.