Artwork
Bouquet in a Chinese Vase
Bouquet in a Chinese Vase is an oil painting by the Art Nouveau artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
Light is diffused across the surface, subduing chiaroscuro in favor of a muted palette of greens, whites, and earth tones that unify the still-life grouping.
Executed in 1912, the work is an oil painting on canvas, employing a fluid handling typical of Redon’s late still lifes. The composition centers on a Chinese porcelain vase holding a loose, asymmetrical bouquet of flowers rendered with soft, atmospheric transitions rather than hard contours. Light is diffused across the surface, subduing chiaroscuro in favor of a muted palette of greens, whites, and earth tones that unify the still-life grouping.
The canvas support measures 64.8 cm in height and 49.8 cm in width, consistent with Redon’s small-format late works. No losses or significant abrasions are recorded, indicating the painting remains in stable condition.
History & Provenance
Bouquet in a Chinese Vase is an oil-on-canvas painting created by Odilon Redon in 1912. The work measures 64.8 cm in height and 49.8 cm in width. It currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The painting depicts a floral arrangement within a vase, categorized as a still life. While the specific commission details and the full chain of ownership prior to its museum acquisition are not detailed in the provided records, the work's inception is firmly dated to 1912. The piece remains a significant example of Redon's oil painting technique from that period, held within a major public institution.
The painting is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is inventoried there as accession number 1989.274. Its exhibition history includes display at the museum as part of the permanent collection, most recently in 2023 in Gallery 964.
Overview
Odilon Redon's Bouquet in a Chinese Vase, painted in oil in 1912, exemplifies the French Symbolist's later period. This still life, featuring a vibrant floral arrangement, showcases his departure from earlier monochromatic works. By this point, Redon had embraced oil paint as his primary medium, exploring rich color and light. The artwork is currently part of The Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.
Subject & Meaning
Bouquet in a Chinese Vase presents a seemingly straightforward still life, yet it resonates with the decorative sensibilities of the Art Nouveau movement. The arrangement features a mix of common garden flowers, held within a plain vessel that appears to have a few incidental paint splatters. This focus on natural forms, presented with a decorative flair, aligns with the period's interest in organic motifs and aesthetic beauty.
Context
Created in 1912, this work reflects a significant evolution in Redon's artistic practice. Earlier in his career, he was primarily known for his dark, introspective charcoal drawings and lithographs, collectively termed noirs. However, by the early 20th century, Redon transitioned to a more luminous palette, favoring pastels and, increasingly, oil paints.
This shift allowed him to explore vibrant color and light, moving towards the more optimistic and decorative themes seen here.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Odilon Redon (born Bertrand Redon; French: ; 20 April 1840 – 6 July 1916) was a French Symbolist draftsman, printmaker, and painter.
