Beatrice c. 1892

Odilon Redon made this charcoal drawing called 'Beatrice' sometime during his career in France. It depicts a woman in a long gown. The figure seems to emerge from a hazy background, perhaps suggesting a dream or a memory. Redon was working in a time of great social change and upheaval. France was undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization. What was the role of art in this changing world? Was it to depict the world realistically, or was it to explore the inner world of the imagination? Redon was associated with Symbolism, a movement that rejected Realism in favor of more subjective and spiritual themes. The figure of Beatrice is taken from Dante's 'Divine Comedy,' a classic work of Western literature that deals with themes of love, death, and redemption. Redon shows the ongoing influence of literary culture on the visual arts. To better understand Redon's art, we can look at his writings, his influences, and the social and intellectual context in which he was working. By doing so, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the role of art in shaping our understanding of the world.