Dreams and Shadows by Odilon Redon

Odilon Redon (1840 - 1916) was a French artist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his visionary and dreamlike imagery. Born in Bordeaux, in Southwestern France, he began his artistic training studying painting and printmaking both in his hometown and in Paris. His career developed during a period of profound social and economic change in Europe, marked by the innovations of modern science and the growing rebellion against academic art, which led to the birth of new movements such as Impressionism. Although not adhering completely to any current, Redon explored a personal artistic language, moving between tradition and experimentation. His early works, made in charcoal and lithography, are characterized by dark and surreal atmospheres, populated by enigmatic figures and hybrid creatures that reflect his interest in symbolism and the human psyche. Over time, his palette became lighter and his style became brighter and more colorful, thanks to the use of pastels and oils, which gave his works a dreamlike and spiritual dimension. This exhibition, composed of approximately 110 works, many of which come from the Museum of Fine Arts in Gifu, will offer a broad overview of Redon's artistic evolution. By comparing his different creative phases, the public will be able to immerse themselves in the artist's evocative universe, discovering his constant balance between reality and imagination.