Flowers in aa Brown Vase 1904

Odilon Redon’s *Flowers in a Brown Vase* offers a glimpse into the artist’s transition from dark, dreamlike lithographs to the vibrant, colorful pastels and oils of his later career. Redon, working in late 19th-century France, was initially associated with Symbolism, a movement that rejected realism in favor of subjective experience. During a time of political upheaval and social change, Redon turned inward, exploring the depths of the subconscious mind. After years working almost exclusively in black and white, he felt the need to explore colour. This painting reflects Redon's growing interest in the natural world and his evolving artistic style. The flowers, rendered in soft, luminous hues, seem to radiate from within, evoking a sense of ethereal beauty. As Redon once said, his art aimed to "place the logic of the visible at the service of the invisible." The vase itself, earthy and grounded, provides a counterpoint to the flowers' transient beauty, reminding us of the cycle of life and death. This is a painting that invites us to slow down, to contemplate the beauty that surrounds us, and to find solace in the simple act of observation.