Desiderata
Redon desired to express the fact that no matter how much hardship an individual endures it is always necessary to overcome the past. The past and its relative emotions can be used as a source of inspiration but is not meant to be dwelled on, as the acceptance of a new chapter as well as the experimentation with new art styles can be greatly beneficial.
Vision and agendaRedon’s vision and aim was to create art that could not be placed into a box, scrutinised or defined. He strived to put the viewer in a subjective light, where they could feel whichever emotion the artwork installed in them. Redon believed that art should not be used as a societal tool but to detach itself from the sentimentality of commercial art and portray real human emotion. He was largely in favour of this idea, which he came across in both Edgar Allen Poe’s essay “The Poetic Principle” as well as the whole Symbolist concept.
www.fanpop.com
Stance
Redon’s stance and position in the art world was on the opposing side of naturalism and commercialism. He stood for an art that meant more than mass produced “art” that was simply art for the sake of art. He aimed to take a stand for true art that consisted of real human emotion.
Purpose and Philosophy
When it comes to art Redon’s philosophy can be simplified into three fundamentals and the belief that art cannot be scrutinised or “subject to systems”. The basics that Redon believes all art should be based on are tradition, nature and personal invention. This symbolic philosophy was enhanced by Edgar Allen Poe’s essay, “The poetic principle” which made the idea of art not only for art’s sake but for the expression of true emotion and the opposition of commercialism attractive to Bertrand-Jean.
Influences
Redon was an artist that gathered inspiration from many sources and was influenced by those around him. He was a man that liked to surround himself with fellow creatives and people that could add value to his life; such as composers and Symbolist artists as well as writers. His inner circle included people like composer Ernest Chausson, artists Edouard Vuillard, Pierre Bonnard and Maurice Denis and the poet Stephane Mallarme. Further, his influences can be traced to music, Christianity and Eastern religions, the works of Edgar Allen Poe and Rembrandt’s chiaroscuro technique. His “noiresand” period, which www.escapeintolife.com was predominantly black work, was said to have been influenced by a great sadness and pain-thus explaining the lack of colour.
Biography
Bertrand-Jean Redon was a painter and printmaker that followed the Symbolist movement and is of French decent, born in Bordeaux, France on the 20th of April 1840. As an artist however, Bertrand-Jean was better known as Odilon. Odilon showed promise as an artist from as early as age ten (winning an award for drawing at school) yet only began actual drawing studies at the age of 15. His pursuit of drawing studies was however cut short by his father who insisted that he study architecture but Redon’s failure in his entrance exams eliminated that possibility and allowed him to carry on pursuing the arts. His next venture was learning how to sculpt and was taught etching and lithography by Rodolphe Bresdin. Redon’s creative path was however, interrupted by a en.wikipedia.org call to fight in the army and he could only resume thereafter. Post-war, it was Paris that became Redon’s new home, as well as the new home of his art. It was here that he expressed his “noiresand” period and worked majorly in charcoal and lithography, with his colour works only to arise in the 1890’s. Redon’s later transition into colour led him to work with new mediums such as pastels and oil, in which he greatly succeeded and gained not only numerous awards (such as the Legion of Honor) but the friendship and admiration of the Nabis artists.
Concept, Process
The concept behind the majority of Redon’s art was to combine the natural with the fantastical in such a way as to create something unique that would enthral the viewer and cause them to think deeper. Throughout his “noiresand” period Redon used the processes of lithography as well as etching and used charcoal as his primary medium. The process of lithography entails using either a stone (generally limestone) or a flat metal surface in order to print while etching involves using corrosive chemicals to carve an image into a metal plaque.
http://www.escapeintolife.com/essays/odilon-redon-prince-of-dreams/
Archetype
The eras in which Redon was the most influential/well-recognised were Post-impression and Symbolism. Many Symbolist artists favoured him and even the Nabi artists had a deep admiration for him and formed a following.
Character and convictions
Odilon’s character was a truly a genuine one as he was a kind and sensitive soul. This disposition lead him to develop a close circle of friends, which is also an indicator towards his character.
Leadership.Redon was never a leader by choice but rather lead by means of example and his inspirational demeanour gathered him a large group of followers. The Nabis artists were greatly inspired by him and fell under his leadership.
Stance
Redon’s stance and position in the art world was on the opposing side of naturalism and commercialism. He stood for an art that meant more than mass produced “art” that was simply art for the sake of art. He aimed to take a stand for true art that consisted of real human emotion.
Purpose and Philosophy
When it comes to art Redon’s philosophy can be simplified into three fundamentals and the belief that art cannot be scrutinised or “subject to systems”. The basics that Redon believes all art should be based on are tradition, nature and personal invention. This symbolic philosophy was enhanced by Edgar Allen Poe’s essay, “The poetic principle” which made the idea of art not only for art’s sake but for the expression of true emotion and the opposition of commercialism attractive to Bertrand-Jean.
Redon was an artist that gathered inspiration from many sources and was influenced by those around him. He was a man that liked to surround himself with fellow creatives and people that could add value to his life; such as composers and Symbolist artists as well as writers. His inner circle included people like composer Ernest Chausson, artists Edouard Vuillard, Pierre Bonnard and Maurice Denis and the poet Stephane Mallarme. Further, his influences can be traced to music, Christianity and Eastern religions, the works of Edgar Allen Poe and Rembrandt’s chiaroscuro technique. His “noiresand” period, which www.escapeintolife.com was predominantly black work, was said to have been influenced by a great sadness and pain-thus explaining the lack of colour.
BiographyBertrand-Jean Redon was a painter and printmaker that followed the Symbolist movement and is of French decent, born in Bordeaux, France on the 20th of April 1840. As an artist however, Bertrand-Jean was better known as Odilon. Odilon showed promise as an artist from as early as age ten (winning an award for drawing at school) yet only began actual drawing studies at the age of 15. His pursuit of drawing studies was however cut short by his father who insisted that he study architecture but Redon’s failure in his entrance exams eliminated that possibility and allowed him to carry on pursuing the arts. His next venture was learning how to sculpt and was taught etching and lithography by Rodolphe Bresdin. Redon’s creative path was however, interrupted by a en.wikipedia.org call to fight in the army and he could only resume thereafter. Post-war, it was Paris that became Redon’s new home, as well as the new home of his art. It was here that he expressed his “noiresand” period and worked majorly in charcoal and lithography, with his colour works only to arise in the 1890’s. Redon’s later transition into colour led him to work with new mediums such as pastels and oil, in which he greatly succeeded and gained not only numerous awards (such as the Legion of Honor) but the friendship and admiration of the Nabis artists.
Concept, Process The concept behind the majority of Redon’s art was to combine the natural with the fantastical in such a way as to create something unique that would enthral the viewer and cause them to think deeper. Throughout his “noiresand” period Redon used the processes of lithography as well as etching and used charcoal as his primary medium. The process of lithography entails using either a stone (generally limestone) or a flat metal surface in order to print while etching involves using corrosive chemicals to carve an image into a metal plaque.
http://www.escapeintolife.com/essays/odilon-redon-prince-of-dreams/
Archetype
The eras in which Redon was the most influential/well-recognised were Post-impression and Symbolism. Many Symbolist artists favoured him and even the Nabi artists had a deep admiration for him and formed a following.
Character and convictions
Odilon’s character was a truly a genuine one as he was a kind and sensitive soul. This disposition lead him to develop a close circle of friends, which is also an indicator towards his character.
Leadership.Redon was never a leader by choice but rather lead by means of example and his inspirational demeanour gathered him a large group of followers. The Nabis artists were greatly inspired by him and fell under his leadership.
