Bouquet of Wild Flowers 1900

Odilon Redon's ‘Bouquet of Wild Flowers’ was created with oil on canvas. Notice how Redon’s approach to the materiality of paint and the way he handles it on the canvas influences how the subject is depicted. The texture feels soft and dreamy, which enhances the emotional impact of the artwork. There's a focus on light and shadow, which adds depth. The strokes are loose and expressive, suggesting a sense of movement, bringing the bouquet to life. Redon was at the forefront of those artists using the techniques of painting to suggest unseen worlds. This painting sits between the traditional hierarchy of the fine arts and a more modest decorative art of flower painting. By considering the materials and processes, and focusing on the labor involved in making it, we can begin to understand the cultural value of this painting, and challenge the idea that painting is somehow superior to other forms of making.