Wing 1893

Curator: This is Odilon Redon’s "Wing," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. The composition, with its stark contrasts, is quite striking. Editor: Yes, the dynamism of the winged horse—Pegasus, I presume—against that atmospheric background makes it immediately powerful. Curator: Precisely. Redon's manipulation of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and movement. Observe how the textural details vary across the sheet. Editor: The choice of black and white intensifies the symbolic weight; it feels like a meditation on freedom and the burdens of power. Curator: Indeed. The absence of color directs our focus to the formal elements, emphasizing the structural integrity of the forms and the balance within the composition. Editor: Perhaps Redon is also commenting on the artist’s own struggle for expression in a rapidly changing world, using myth to engage with modernity. Curator: A persuasive argument. It makes you consider the artist's intention in choosing such a subject. Editor: Redon gives us so much to consider about individual potential against societal constraints. Curator: Yes, the formal analysis reveals a depth beyond the representational imagery. Editor: And the themes it presents remain relevant and poignant.