Gift from J. H. Wade · The Cleveland Museum of Art
Image: public domain (CC0) · Museum record & image source ↗
Orpheus
- Date
- c. 1903–10
- Medium
- pastel on brown paper
- Dimensions
- Sheet: 68.8 x 56.8 cm (27 1/16 x 22 3/8 in.)
- Country / context
- France
- Movement / tradition
- Symbolism · Source ↗
- Collection
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Pathway
- European and American art ↗
Drawn in vivid layers of pastel crayon, this work depicts the head of the poet and musician Orpheus. The story of the god of music, whose music carried on after his death through his lyre and head, fascinated Redon, who related to Orpheus's dedication to his art. The subject also aligned with Redon's broader interest in dreams and spirituality around this time and he represented Orpheus several times throughout his career, in various media. Here, the god's head floats as if in stasis while Mount Parnassus—the home of Apollo and the Muses—soars from behind.
Collection text · The Cleveland Museum of Art · CC0Start with what you can see: shapes, surface, colour and scale. How might the listed materials affect the way this object was made and experienced?
Looking prompt · an invitation to observe, not a historical interpretation.
