Passage d’une Ame 1891

Odilon Redon made this lithograph called “Passage d’une Ame.” Redon was working in France in the late 19th century. The Franco-Prussian war had ended, and the country was in a state of political and social upheaval. Redon, like many artists of his time, was grappling with questions of identity, spirituality, and the nature of reality. This image depicts a nude figure, seemingly female, emerging from a dark, swirling mass. The figure is androgynous. The title, which translates to “Passage of a Soul,” suggests a journey or transition. Redon was interested in exploring the inner world of dreams and emotions, and he often used his art to depict these intangible experiences. He once stated that his intention was to "place the logic of the visible at the service of the invisible." Redon’s symbolist style departed from traditional representation, inviting viewers to contemplate the mysteries of existence. This piece asks us to consider the emotional and spiritual dimensions of human experience.