Breton Village c. 1890

Odilon Redon painted this scene of a Breton Village using oil on canvas. Redon was working in France during a period of rapid urbanization and industrial expansion, developments that fuelled a nostalgic interest in rural life. Here, the village buildings are rendered in simple, almost childlike forms, bathed in a soft, diffused light. This approach to form and light distances Redon from the academic realism that still dominated the French art world. Instead, he focuses on capturing the atmosphere and feeling of the scene rather than its literal appearance. Brittany, with its distinct cultural identity and traditions, held a particular fascination for artists and writers seeking an escape from the perceived ills of modern life. To understand Redon's place in the history of French art, one might consider the critical response to his work in period journals and exhibition reviews. The history of the art market, and Redon's relationship with his dealers, would also illuminate the social conditions that made such an image possible.