Odilon Redon: Prince of Dreams, 1840-1916

French artist Odilon Redon is famous for both his dark lithographs (“noirs”), featuring such spooky images as floating eyeballs and grinning spiders, and his later pastels of flowers and religious or mythological subjects. He is perhaps most closely associated with the late-nineteenth-century Symbolist art movement, though he himself identified with this movement only for a relatively short period. Some of his work prefigures the work of the Surrealists and modern fantasy or Goth artists.This art book of Redon’s work is one of those coffee-table books that could double as the coffee table; at about 12” by 14” and a couple of inches thick, it’s rather a pain to manipulate. As an art book, however, it’s beautiful, giving a wide selection of Redon’s work throughout his career. All the pieces that were in color to start with are in color here, and some (though not very many) are given a full-page display.The text, by a variety of authors, is extensive—perhaps too much so. It tells a great deal about Redon’s own feelings about his art at different times, critics’ reactions to it, his exhibitions and sales, how his art fitted (or didn’t fit) with the artistic and political ideas popular in France at different periods, etc., with numerous quotes. I think most readers, like myself, will find it pretty tedious unless they are awfully, awfully interested in or curious about Redon. Just browsing the art may work better.

Of course it's painful to see Odilon Redon's work reproduced anywhere, as nothing can capture the colors of the original--but realistically, how else am I going to see his work? I've only seen one--the blue vase that is part of the permanent collection at the Hammer, so luminous that I try to visit it every few years. Redon anguished and fought over the framing of his work--vital to retain the color of the pastels which are still today so incredible. There is a vague spirituality to his work--he specifically chose not to depict religious scenes, though many of his subjects seem sacred. I think he felt that art and creation were in themselves sacred, and on a higher plane than mere religious subjects. A favorite of mine is Monk Reading, but I would not say it was religious. Dreamlike. You can see why Marc Chagall named his son Odilon.

Great photos as I am a lover of Redon’s work!

.... and wonderful seller

I was impressed how quickly this book came to me in Australia and the condition of the book was like new and very reasonably priced. For serious fans of Odilon Redon, like myself this book is essential. It covers all his artwork compared to similar artwork of the time. You can see how he influenced other artists with his style during his career. There are pictures of his work and similar other artists work on the same page. Studying his methods and subject matter I refer to this book often and is a must for any person serious about getting to know the life and work of Odilon Redon.

The reproductions in this book are not very good at all. The color reproduced is dull, nothing like the vibrancy of the actual work of Redon, especially in latter years. Moreover, there aren't that many color plates unless you consider sepia to be color. The great bulk of the contents of the book is text, which would be fine if it weren't in a large extremely heavy and overpriced format.

This monograph should not be dismissed, in fact it is in my opinion one of the most thorough if not the most thorough and really delivers on many levels, I have to take exception with a previous reviewer's comment on the reproductions as there are many(500) and very decent with no complaints from me at all.If one has interest in Redon I can not praise this volume more highly, essential.

Book is PERFECT in every way!

Very, very good!