Lady Macbeth 1898

Odilon Redon created this pastel drawing of Lady Macbeth. The figure emerges through an interplay of color and form, casting a spellbinding presence. The bold chromatic choices—fiery reds against a cool blue backdrop—intensify the psychological drama, drawing you into her conflicted inner world. Redon's symbolism transcends mere illustration, as he delves into the semiotics of color and shape. Notice how the stark, mask-like face defies conventional beauty. This is no simple portrait; it’s a study in psychological tension. The destabilization of traditional representation reflects Redon's engagement with the Symbolist movement. Look at the compositional structure. Lady Macbeth and the candle are centrally aligned in the picture plane. The structural symmetry is unsettling and hints at the character’s precarious state. The light source is central to the symbolism of the piece; it reveals yet also obscures. This work invites us to look beyond the surface, into the complex, and often contradictory, nature of human existence.