The artwork titled “Head of Orpheus on the Water or The Mystic” was created by the artist Odilon Redon in 1880. This piece is executed in charcoal, pencil, and paper and exemplifies the Symbolism art movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 34 by 41 centimeters. Recognized as a symbolic painting, it currently resides at the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands.
The artwork manifests a profile portrait that is seemingly emerging from or submerged in water. The use of dark charcoal creates an intense contrast with the lighter areas, offering the suggestion of depth and form. The subject’s head is surrounded by a dark aura, which aids in focusing the viewer’s attention on the features of the face. The artwork employs soft gradients and subtle transitions between tones, highlighting the signature of Symbolism, that favors evocation over overt depiction. The mystical quality of the portrait is emphasized through the blending of the figure and his environment, hinting at the ineffable dimensions of the psyche and spiritual realms that Symbolist artists often endeavored to capture.
