“Flowers in a Black Vase” is an evocative work by Odilon Redon, a notable artist associated with the Symbolism movement. Crafted circa 1909, the artwork is executed in pastel on paper and conveys the ethereal quality characteristic of Redon’s style. The piece measures 119 by 99 centimeters and epitomizes the genre of flower painting. It is currently housed within the collection of the Dallas Museum of Art, located in Dallas, Texas, United States.
The artwork presents a composition of assorted flowers erupting from a dark vase. The inclusion of a black vase introduces a contrast that heightens the softer hues of the blossoms, allowing them to emerge vibrantly from the subdued background. Redon’s use of pastels imbues the scene with a gentle luminescence, softly blending the colors and creating a dreamlike atmosphere—a hallmark of Symbolist art, which sought to express the ineffable. The flowers are rendered with a degree of abstraction, their forms dissolving towards the edges and intermingling with the surrounding space. This quality suggests a transient, almost mystical vision of nature, inviting the viewer to contemplate the deeper emotional resonance beyond the mere physical representation.
