Who painted Le Jour (Day)?

Le Jour (Day) was painted by Odilon Redon in 1891.

Where can I see Le Jour (Day)?

Le Jour (Day) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Le Jour (Day)?

Le Jour (Day) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Le Jour (Day)?

Museum-quality prints of Le Jour (Day) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Le Jour (Day)

Odilon Redon , 1891

Le Jour (Day) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work depicts a luminous, atmospheric sky dominated by a radiant sun and soft, swirling cloud formations that evoke a dreamlike state.

Le Jour (Day) is a lithograph created by French Symbolist artist Odilon Redon in 1891. The work depicts a luminous, atmospheric sky dominated by a radiant sun and soft, swirling cloud formations that evoke a dreamlike state. Executed with Redon's characteristic mastery of the lithographic medium, the piece balances bold, defining lines with delicate, smudged textures to create a sense of depth and ethereal movement.

This work belongs to Redon's transition from his early "Noirs" period, which focused on charcoal and monochromatic imagery of the fantastical and macabre, to his later, more colorful phase. In Le Jour, the artist explores themes of light and spiritual awakening, moving away from the darkness of his earlier "dream" series toward a more optimistic vision. The composition reflects the Symbolist interest in the inner life and the subconscious, using natural elements like the sun and clouds not as literal representations but as vehicles for emotional and metaphysical expression.

As part of his broader exploration of the interplay between light and shadow, this lithograph stands as a significant example of Redon's ability to render the intangible through graphic means.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a bright sun surrounded by gentle, rolling clouds that seem to drift in a dreamlike rhythm. The interplay of light and air suggests a contemplation of the passage of time and the fleeting quality of a single day, themes Redon often explored through poetic, non‑narrative imagery.

Technique & Style

Redon employed the lithographic process, drawing directly onto a limestone surface with greasy mediums before printing. In this piece, he juxtaposes assertive, defined lines with delicate, feather‑like textures, a contrast that enhances the sense of spatial recession. The subtle gradations of tone achieved through careful wiping and inking give the clouds a vaporous quality while preserving the crispness of the sun’s outline.

History & Provenance

Created during Redon’s mature period, Le Jour reflects his shift from charcoal and pastel to color printmaking. The work entered several private collections in the early 20th century before being acquired by a European museum in the 1970s, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of late‑19th‑century symbolist prints.