Artwork
Upon Awakening I Saw the Goddess of the Intelligible with Her Severe and Hard Profile
Upon Awakening I Saw the Goddess of the Intelligible with Her Severe and Hard Profile is a print by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1927.344.6
- Credit line
- Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland
About this work
Overview
This print is part of Odilon Redon's Homage to Goya series, a collection of six lithographs created as a tribute to Francisco de Goya. The series showcases Redon's early experimentation with lithography and explores themes of dreams and the subconscious.
Subject & Meaning
The print features a woman's profile with closed eyes, set against a dark, smoky background. The title, 'Upon Awakening I Saw the Goddess of the Intelligible with Her Severe and Hard Profile', is derived from a poem, but Redon left its meaning open to interpretation.
Technique & Style
Redon employed lithography to achieve a range of tonal values, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The use of sfumato, a technique that softens edges, adds to the enigmatic quality of the image. This work is characteristic of Redon's 'noirs', a series of dark, moody prints.
Artist & collection
Artist
Odilon Redon (born Bertrand Redon; French: ; 20 April 1840 – 6 July 1916) was a French Symbolist draftsman, printmaker, and painter.
