Odilon Redon (1840-1916) was an extremely influential artist affecting Matisse, Kandinsky, Bonnard, Picasso, Ernst, and many others. The intensity of colors he used reminds me of the Fauves. In 1912 Andre Salmon deemed Redon as "the true founder of 'pure painting' and therefore as the precursor of Fauvism." Not only did Redon impact the Fauves he also influenced the Cubists, Nabis, and Surrealists. In particular, Matisse, became almost obsessed with Redon and tried to acquire as much of his work as possible.
Redon's work can be divided into two phases. The noirs of the first half and the colored work of his second phase. I am drawn to the second phase of work. The colors he used work so harmoniously together that the viewer feels as if they are looking into a dream. His blues are often labeled "mystical" and his yellows as "golden" and "luminous". Redon wanted his colors to be pure and autonomous. The mysterious quality to his work attracted the Surrealists who were fascinated with dreams and the subconscious. In fact, Redon wanted his work to merge the contrasting objective perceptive world with the subjective feeling world.
After 1900, Redon primarily painted images of religion and mythology or flora.
He also painted a series of boat pictures where the sky and sea appear to be one perhaps symbolically representing infinity. The riders in the boats are seemingly in contemplation.
My favorite of his boat paintings:
You can see more of his paintings on my Pinterest board, Odilon Redon.
References
Odilon Redon, Catalogue to the 2014 Exhibition. Fondation Beyeler.
