Profile 

Curator: The artwork before us, "Profile," is by the French symbolist painter Odilon Redon. The delicate painting showcases the artist's watercolor and gouache. Editor: It strikes me as profoundly melancholic. The head seems to float in a watery expanse of blue, giving it a dreamy and somewhat ethereal quality. Curator: Absolutely. Redon frequently used the symbolism of dreams and the subconscious to tap into the hidden parts of the human experience. Notice how the closed eyes imply introspection, hinting at an inner journey rather than external awareness. The head itself almost seems decoupled from its surroundings, enclosed in some sort of orbit. Editor: I'm drawn to the materiality – or perhaps the perceived immateriality – of the image. Redon's choice of watercolor and gouache is important; they lend themselves to this kind of ethereal effect, creating layers of translucent colour that suggest the insubstantiality of thought itself. There seems to be such a contrast to oil paintings and the heavy canvas. It challenges high art to also find the sacred in humble art making practices and affordable materials. Curator: Precisely! And Redon's commitment to symbolic forms allowed him to navigate the space between conscious and unconscious experience. The radiating halo surrounding the profile further enhances this suggestion, indicating transcendence beyond tangible limits. I notice the artist used color to distinguish emotional states in his time. Blue to promote harmony, and the small hint of pink is to elicit empathy. Editor: The marks and textures really animate this seemingly calm portrait; the horizontal gouache hatchmarks that make up the face and the wispy brushwork are evidence of process, reminding me this image emerges through labour. Do you think the use of readily available watercolor might also represent something of a democratic approach? Curator: In Redon’s context, these types of supplies created greater reach and opportunities to explore these concepts with his art students. The simple nature of this profile allows the viewer to ponder about themselves too. Editor: I see what you mean, the humbleness is a portal for connection and personal introspection. Curator: Yes, precisely, Redon gives us access to the cultural importance of dreams. Editor: What a thought-provoking piece! A powerful testament to art's potential for reflection through humble making.