The artwork entitled “Portrait of Ari Redon in Profile” by Odilon Redon is a pastel on paper, exemplifying the Symbolism art movement. Measuring at 43.5 x 29 cm, this portrait genre piece is part of a private collection, emphasizing the sublime through the artist’s nuanced use of color and form to express a deeper emotional resonance beyond the visible world.
In this delicate portrayal, the subject is presented in a soft, almost ethereal manner. The composition focuses on the profile of Ari Redon, which is rendered with a gentle touch that captures both innocence and contemplation. The subdued palette predominantly features earthy tones with subtle variations that suggest a sculptural quality to the subject’s features. A contrast is established by the striking use of rich blues and hints of warmer pigments in the background, which both frame the figure and contribute to a sense of depth and atmosphere.
The pastel medium allows for a fusion of colors and a textural richness that breathe life into the subject’s complexion and lends a dreamlike ambiance to the artwork. Redon’s technique involves delicate strokes and a masterful layering of pastel, resulting in an image that seems to hover between reality and an imagined realm. The expression captured is imbued with a sense of introspection, hinting at the inner world of the subject. As a work of Symbolism, it transcends the mere representation of Ari Redon’s physical appearance to hint at a profound, perhaps even mystical dimension of the human soul.
