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Artwork Page for Orpheus

Details / Information for Orpheus

Orpheus

c. 1903–10
(French, 1840–1916)
France
pastel on brown paper
Sheet: 68.8 x 56.8 cm (27 1/16 x 22 3/8 in.)
Gift from J. H. Wade 1926.25
Catalogue raisonné: Wildenstein 885
Location: not on view
Public Domain
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Did You Know?

Another version of this pastel (now in the collection of the Musée Fabre de Montpellier) was part of a group of later works by Redon shown at the 1913 International Exhibition of Modern Art—better known as the Armory Show—which introduced the artist to American audiences.

Description

Drawn in vivid layers of pastel crayon, this work depicts the head of the poet and musician Orpheus. The story of the god of music, whose music carried on after his death through his lyre and head, fascinated Redon, who related to Orpheus's dedication to his art. The subject also aligned with Redon's broader interest in dreams and spirituality around this time and he represented Orpheus several times throughout his career, in various media. Here, the god's head floats as if in stasis while Mount Parnassus—the home of Apollo and the Muses—soars from behind.
Pastel on brown paper creating a hazy scene in dark purples and blues, a disembodied bald head with medium-dark skin laying down with eyes closed in the lower center of the paper. A yellow-stringed lyre lies parallel to the head, appearing to dissolve into where the torso would be in pale blue. In the background, a red-purple mountain rises in front of a light purple sky.

Orpheus

c. 1903–10

Odilon Redon

(French, 1840–1916)
France

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