Odilon Redon

Odilon Redon (April 20, 1840 – July 6, 1916) was a French Symbolist artist, known for his pastel drawings, charcoal and pastel paintings, and lithographs. He was born in Bordeaux, France to a wealthy family, and was encouraged to pursue his artistic interests from an early age.

Redon studied art at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and was heavily influenced by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Jules Verne, and William Blake. He was a member of the Symbolist movement, which sought to express inner, emotional states through symbolic imagery.

Redon's work often featured fantastical, dream-like scenes with distorted figures and creatures. He also explored themes of spirituality, death, and the occult. In addition to his visual art, Redon also wrote poetry and essays on art.

Redon's work was not widely appreciated during his lifetime, but he gained recognition in the early 20th century for his contributions to the Symbolist movement. Today, his work is considered a significant influence on Surrealism and modern art. He is buried in the Cimetière de Montmartre in Paris.