Artwork

Femme a la torque ornee (Woman with a plumed hat)

Femme a la torque ornee (Woman with a plumed hat), by Odilon Redon, ink, 1900
Femme a la torque ornee (Woman with a plumed hat), by Odilon Redon, ink, 1900

Femme a la torque ornee (Woman with a plumed hat) is an ink print by Odilon Redon. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Femme a la torque ornee is a lithograph by Odilon Redon, dating to around 1900. The work centers on a woman wearing an elaborately feathered hat, rendered through a combination of simple lines and shapes, characteristic of the lithographic process.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a serene-faced woman, is the focal point. Her hat, adorned with feathers and ornaments, indicates Redon's attention to contemporary fashion and stylistic detail, potentially exploring themes of elegance and poise.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithograph, the piece contrasts the simplicity of its lines and shapes with the intricacy of the hat's design. This juxtaposition highlights Redon's adaptation of lithography to achieve both subtlety and ornateness.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1900, specific provenance details are not provided, though its creation period situates it within Redon's broader exploration of lithography during this time.

Context

Part of the late 19th to early 20th-century artistic landscape, this work reflects the era's interest in fashion as a subject matter, while Redon's style bridges Symbolism's dreaminess with a more grounded, observational approach.

Legacy

As a lithograph, it contributes to the broader appreciation of printmaking as an artistic medium. The work's focus on detail and composition influences subsequent artists in exploring the interplay between simplicity and ornamentation in print.

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: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.