The artwork titled “Gnome” is a lithograph on paper created by Odilon Redon in 1879. This piece is part of the “In the Dream” series and showcases the Symbolist art movement’s influence on Redon’s work. The dimensions of this symbolic painting are 27.2 x 22 cm. It is housed in the Kröller-Müller Museum located in Otterlo, Netherlands, among an impressive collection of similarly prominent works.
The artwork presents a hauntingly enigmatic and dreamlike visage, seeming to emerge from darkness. A striking contrast is achieved through the use of chiaroscuro, with the features of the gnome rendered in luminous tones against a densely shaded background. The facial expression of the gnome is contemplative and somber, with eyes that convey a deep and possibly unsettling introspection. This piece, emblematic of the Symbolism movement, invites viewers to interpret the image through the prism of their subconscious and emotions, rather than through any literal representation. The ethereal quality of the figure, combined with Redon’s mastery of lithographic techniques, imbues the work with a sense of mystery and the exploration of themes beyond the tangible world.
