Vase of Flowers c. 1905

Odilon Redon painted this unnamed ‘Vase of Flowers’ with oils sometime during his career. Redon was working in France during a period of social upheaval, brought about by the industrial revolution and the rise of the bourgeoisie. Redon moved away from traditional artistic representation, developing an interest in subjective experience, and the power of dreams and the imagination. This still life contains a diverse bouquet of flowers, ranging from delicate whites to vibrant oranges. Despite the traditional subject matter, the composition is far from conventional, with the ethereal background casting a strange light on the blooms. Redon once wrote, "My drawings inspire, and are not to be defined. They determine nothing. They place us, as does music, in the ambiguous realm of the undetermined." This painting invites us into a world of ambiguity and uncertainty, reflecting the emotional and social climate of Redon's era. The contrast between the traditional subject and the unconventional style offers a space for personal interpretation and emotional connection.