Who painted Parsifal?

Parsifal was painted by Odilon Redon in 1892.

Where can I see Parsifal?

Parsifal is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Parsifal?

Parsifal is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Parsifal

Odilon Redon , 1892

Parsifal is a print by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1892 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1925.21
Credit line: Gift of Ralph King

About this work

Redon made this after hearing Wagner’s opera Parsifal, about a hero searching for the Holy Grail.

A knight in armor stands alone against a dark, swirling background. His face is pale, eyes empty, as if lost in thought. A faint halo glows around his head.

Redon made this after hearing Wagner’s opera Parsifal, about a hero searching for the Holy Grail. The murky colors and eerie mood don’t tell a clear story, they just hint at something deeper. It’s more like a dream than a scene.

If you like this quiet, mysterious style, look up Odilon Redon (French, 1840–1916).

Overview

This print, titled 'Parsifal', is a work by Odilon Redon, a French artist active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It depicts a lone knight in armor set against a dark, turbulent background.

Subject & Meaning

The print's subject is Parsifal, a heroic knight from Richard Wagner's 1882 opera of the same name, which revolves around the quest for the Holy Grail. The knight's vacant expression and the surrounding atmosphere evoke a sense of mystery and contemplation.

Technique & Style

Redon's use of murky tones and an otherworldly glow around the knight's head creates a dreamlike quality, characteristic of his style. The print's eerie mood and lack of clear narrative add to its enigmatic nature.

History & Provenance

The print was donated to the museum by Ralph King, a founding trustee and collector known for his enthusiasm for Redon's work. King was a prominent figure among New York City gallerists in the 1920s, often purchasing entire inventories of the artist's prints.