La Vierge D’aurore c. 1890

Odilon Redon made this painting, La Vierge D’aurore, with oil paint on canvas. The way that oil paint can be layered, scraped back, and blended, allows for a rich textural surface to emerge. You can really see Redon's experimentation in this piece. Notice the way the paint seems to glow from within, creating a sense of ethereal light. The artist has built up layers of color, from deep reds and browns to luminous yellows, applied with expressive brushstrokes. This way of working allows Redon to capture the sensation of dawn, that moment of emerging light and hope. Unlike traditional painting, which aims to create a convincing illusion of depth, Redon keeps the surface alive and visible. This keeps us focused on the act of painting itself, not only the image. The effect is not to create a perfect illusion, but to evoke the sensation of a spiritual awakening.