Princess Maleine 1892

Odilon Redon created this etching, Princess Maleine, in France during the late 19th century. Redon was a leading figure in the Symbolist movement, which rejected the dominant Realist aesthetic in favour of a more subjective, dreamlike approach to art. In this print, we see the titular Princess, a character from a play by Maurice Maeterlinck. Her somber expression and the hazy, indistinct lines of the etching evoke a sense of mystery and unease. The Symbolists were deeply interested in exploring the inner life of the individual, and they often used mythological or literary subjects as a vehicle for expressing complex psychological states. To understand Redon's art, we might turn to contemporary writings on psychology, philosophy, and literature, which were important sources of inspiration for the Symbolist movement. These resources help us appreciate how artworks like this challenged the conservative academicism of the time, and opened up new possibilities for art as a form of personal expression.