Woman in a gothic arcade; woman with flowers 1905

Odilon Redon's "Woman in a gothic arcade; woman with flowers" (1905) is a prime example of his "black and white" style, which he developed between 1884 and 1916. The hazy, dreamlike scene depicts a woman standing in a gothic arcade with a mysterious figure emerging from a mass of flowers and foliage. The use of soft, pastel colors and a blurred focus creates a dreamlike atmosphere, characteristic of Symbolism, a style Redon helped to popularize. The interplay of light and shadow, along with the ethereal and ambiguous nature of the figures, invites contemplation and evokes a sense of the unknown.