Trees 1875

This painting of trees was created by Odilon Redon, a French artist whose life spanned much of the 19th century. Redon came of age in a moment of significant political and social change in France, marked by the rise of industrialization, colonialism, and evolving class structures. These factors are significant because Redon, in his artistic expression, sought an alternative. His focus on dreamlike and symbolic imagery can be seen as a turn away from the rationalism of the era, and in this work he is expressing the desire to reconnect with nature. While this landscape refrains from making overt statements about identity, it invites us to meditate on our own place within the natural world. Redon's intimate portrayal of trees becomes a mirror reflecting our own search for belonging and meaning.