Provenance
Ambroise Vollard (1867-1939), Paris [stock number 3721 according to Wildenstein 1992]. Henri Petiet (1894- 1980), Paris, by March 1940 [according to Wildenstein 1992]; sold to the Art Institute, 1950.
Accession Number
90291
Medium
Black and brown charcoal with black chalk, stumping, scraping and erasing, on ivory wove paper (discolored to cream)
Dimensions
51.7 × 37.5 cm (20 3/8 × 14 13/16 in.)
Classification
charcoal
Credit Line
David Adler Collection
Background & Context
Background Story
Odilon Redon's Prophete (c. 1885) is a charcoal and black chalk drawing on ivory wove paper. The title refers to a prophet, a figure who receives and communicates divine revelation. Redon's prophet likely appears as a visionary figure, emerging from the dark ground in a state of inspiration. The charcoal technique uses stumping, scraping, and erasing to create a rich range of tones.
Cultural Impact
Redon's depictions of prophets and visionaries reflect his interest in spiritual and mystical experience.
Why It Matters
This charcoal drawing of a prophet captures the intensity of visionary experience with Redon's characteristic atmosphere.
Related Artworks
And in the Very Disk of the Sun Lights the Face of Jesus Christ, plate 10 from The Temptation of Saint Anthony (1st series)
Odilon Redon
Then There Appears a Singular Being, Having the Head of a Man On the Body of a Fish, plate 5 of 10
Odilon Redon
Cover-Frontispiece for the Temptation of St. Anthony
Odilon Redon
Ophelia
Odilon Redon