The Angel of Destiny 

Odilon Redon created “The Angel of Destiny” using oil on canvas, though the precise date of its creation remains unknown. Here, the angel isn't a comforting, heavenly figure. Instead, there's a sense of unease in its expression, reflecting the Symbolist movement's interest in the darker, more mysterious aspects of the human psyche. France, in the late 19th century, was a society grappling with rapid industrialization and shifting social norms. Redon was part of a generation of artists who questioned the dominant artistic institutions and academic traditions, favoring personal expression over realism. “The Angel of Destiny” hints at the existential anxieties of the time. To fully grasp Redon’s world, we turn to letters, critical reviews, and the exhibition histories of Symbolist art. These sources help us understand how Redon and his contemporaries challenged the conventional boundaries of art and explored the depths of human experience.