Trees in the Blue Sky
Odilon Redon
French, 1840–1916
c. 1883
A quiet, intimate oil on wove paper mounted on board in which Redon isolates a pale tree trunk against soft fields and sky to capture a mood rather than a literal scene.
You first notice the tall, white-barked trunk centered against flattened bands of ochre and brown, with a sliver of clear blue at the top and spare, velvety brushstrokes that suggest foliage and light rather than detail.
Dating to c.1883, the work marks Redon’s movement from naturalistic study toward a more suggestive, symbolist handling of landscape that privileges atmosphere and inner feeling, helping pave the way toward modern abstraction.
Medium
Oil over traces of graphite on light-brown wove paper mounted on board
Dimensions
11 7/8 x 9 1/2" (30.2 x 24.1 cm)
Classification
Department
Credit
Gift of The Ian Woodner Family Collection
Accession
221.2000
Palette
Exhibitions
