Arï 1898

Odilon Redon created this lithograph, Arï, in France, at a time of significant social and political upheaval. Redon was working against the dominant artistic institutions and conventions of his day. He was not interested in creating realistic or idealized representations, but instead sought to explore the inner world of dreams, emotions, and the unconscious. This artwork, with its subtle gradations of tone, its ambiguous setting, and its enigmatic subject, reflects this sensibility. In order to fully understand the cultural significance of images such as this, historians may consult a wide variety of sources, including exhibition reviews, artists’ letters, and theoretical writings about art. By placing a work of art within its specific social and institutional context, we can gain a richer appreciation of its meaning and impact.