Dream Vision c. 1880

Odilon Redon created "Dream Vision" as an etching sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century, a period of rapid social and technological change in France and across Europe. Redon was a key figure in the Symbolist movement, a group of artists who rejected the industrial world and instead explored spirituality, dreams, and the inner life. In this print, a figure seems to hold a sphere of light in a dark and undefined space. The Symbolists drew from a variety of cultural sources, including religion, mythology, and the occult. They were interested in how images could evoke emotion and communicate complex ideas, even if those ideas were not always clear or rational. Art historians consider the cultural context of artworks like this one. By studying the philosophical, political, and artistic debates of the time, we can gain a deeper understanding of what Redon was trying to achieve and how his art challenged the norms of his time.