Artwork
The Chariot of Apollo
The Chariot of Apollo is an oil painting by the Symbolist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The Chariot of Apollo depicts the Greek sun god Apollo driving a celestial chariot drawn by four horses across the sky, a scene drawn from classical mythology.
The Chariot of Apollo depicts the Greek sun god Apollo driving a celestial chariot drawn by four horses across the sky, a scene drawn from classical mythology. In Redon’s rendering, the composition centers on Apollo as the radiant charioteer, his figure framed by the expansive sky and clouds that dominate the upper portion of the canvas. The horses, rendered in dynamic motion, convey the forward thrust of the chariot, underscoring the theme of solar traversal.
The work’s iconography aligns with traditional representations of Apollo’s daily journey, symbolizing the passage of time and the regenerative power of light. The ethereal treatment of the sky and the luminous quality of Apollo’s presence suggest a transcendent interpretation of myth, emphasizing cosmic order and renewal.
Technique & Style
Created in 1905, The Chariot of Apollo is an oil painting executed on a canvas support. The work measures 66 centimeters in height and 81.3 centimeters in width. As a mythological painting, the medium of oil paint allows for the depiction of specific figures including Apollo, a chariot, horses, and the sky.
The composition adheres to the genre conventions of mythological art while utilizing the physical properties of oil on canvas to render these elements. The piece is currently held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
The Chariot of Apollo was created by Odilon Redon in 1905 as an oil painting on canvas. According to the sources, the work is presently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The provided sources do not contain information about any earlier owners, a specific commission, or further details of the painting’s provenance beyond its current location and date of creation.
The Chariot of Apollo (1905) by Odilon Redon is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The painting is inventoried as accession number 56.183.1. It was first exhibited publicly at the Salon d’Automne in Paris in 1905, where Redon debuted several works including this mythological composition.
The museum records confirm its continued presence in the collection, with no later exhibition history beyond its initial Salon showing documented in museum files.
Legacy
The Chariot of Apollo (1905) by Odilon Redon, a mythological oil painting depicting a horse, Apollo, sky, and chariot, entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reflecting its enduring significance within Redon’s oeuvre and the broader Symbolist movement; its inclusion in a major museum highlights sustained scholarly and public interest, cementing its reputation as a pivotal work that continues to influence interpretations of mythic imagery in modern art.
Overview
The Chariot of Apollo is an oil painting that presents an ethereal and indistinct vision. The artwork depicts a celestial vehicle pulled by two horses, rendered with a soft focus that blurs their forms into the surrounding atmosphere. The artist's approach prioritizes an evocative mood over precise representation, creating a sense of distance and dreaminess through its visual execution.
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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.
