Artwork

And the Searcher was Engaged in an Infinite Search

And the Searcher was Engaged in an Infinite Search, by Odilon Redon, 1886
And the Searcher was Engaged in an Infinite Search, by Odilon Redon, 1886

And the Searcher was Engaged in an Infinite Search is a print by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

And the Searcher was Engaged in an Infinite Search is a 1886 print by Odilon Redon, a French Symbolist artist known for his work in various mediums.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a shadowy figure hunched over a large bowl, with a face partially lit by a dim glow, suggesting a symbolic or metaphorical subject rather than a literal one. The title implies a deeper, possibly abstract meaning.

Technique & Style

Redon employed heavy shading and chiaroscuro, a technique using strong contrasts between light and dark, to create a mysterious atmosphere. The use of rough textures and subtle light effects adds to the dreamlike quality of the image.

History & Provenance

Created in 1886, this print is part of Redon's early work, which initially gained recognition through his charcoal and lithographic pieces. The Cleveland Museum of Art holds the artwork.

Context

This work reflects Redon's exploration of imaginative and dreamlike imagery, characteristic of the Symbolist movement, during a period when his art began to receive wider recognition.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Odilon Redon

Artist

Odilon Redon

Born Bertrand-Jean Redon on 20 April 1840 in Bordeaux, the artist adopted the name Odilon from his mother, Marie-Odile.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.