The artwork titled “Portrait of Yseult Fayet,” created by artist Odilon Redon in 1908, is a remarkable example of the Symbolism art movement. It was crafted using the medium of pastel on paper and measures 65 by 80 centimeters. The genre of this piece is a portrait, and currently, it resides within a private collection.
In this pastel work, the central figure, Yseult Fayet, is depicted with a soft, ethereal quality that is characteristic of Redon’s style during this period. Redon employed his unique pastel technique to layer and blend colors to create a dreamlike atmosphere. The subdued palette primarily features hues of blue and green, offset with touches of vibrant pink and yellow, imbuing the scene with a mystical aura.
Yseult is portrayed in profile, gazing towards the right, which gives the portrait a contemplative feel. Her clothing is rendered in light, delicate strokes, suggestive of a white garment with black accents, that highlights the innocence and purity often associated with youth. The background is a tapestry of floral elements and abstract shapes, contributing to the sense of an almost otherworldly, natural landscape. This interplay between the subject and the surrounding flora creates a sense of harmony and connection between human and nature, a hallmark of Redon’s symbolic and philosophical explorations through art.
