Flowers in a Green Pitcher by Odilon Redon
Flowers In A Green Pitcher
Odilon Redon’s Luminous Floral Vision: A Study in Symbolist Still Life
Few artists transformed the humble still life into a portal for dreamlike contemplation as Odilon Redon did. Flowers In A Green Pitcher exemplifies his late-career shift toward vibrant color, where botanical subjects become vessels for emotional resonance rather than mere decorative exercises. This work emerges from Redon’s final decade, when he abandoned the somber noirs of his earlier years for what he called his “blossoming into color”—a period the Metropolitan Museum of Art describes as his most liberated exploration of chromatic possibility. The composition’s restrained elegance belies its psychological depth: Redon’s flowers never simply sit in a vase; they emerge from it, their petals catching light as if illuminated from within.
The green pitcher itself—a recurring motif in Redon’s oeuvre—serves as both anchor and counterpoint. Its cool, matte surface contrasts with the flowers’ radiant hues, creating a tension between containment and expansion that defines Symbolist still life. Unlike the Impressionists’ fleeting garden scenes, Redon’s arrangements exist in a timeless space, their forms distilled to essential curves and contrasts. The background’s neutral tone further isolates the subject, directing focus to the interplay of organic shapes and the pitcher’s geometric solidity. This duality reflects Redon’s belief that “art is the transposition of nature through the temperament of the artist,” a philosophy that elevated still life from genre exercise to metaphysical inquiry.
Redon’s Chromatic Revolution: From Noir to Nature’s Palette
The creation of Flowers In A Green Pitcher coincides with what scholars term Redon’s “color period,” beginning around 1890 and lasting until his death in 1916. This transformation followed decades of working primarily in black-and-white lithography and charcoal, where he cultivated a reputation as the “prince of dream” through monochrome fantasies. The shift to color wasn’t merely technical but philosophical: as Tate curators note, Redon’s late works reflect his engagement with Theosophical ideas about spiritual light and the hidden energies of nature. Flowers became his primary vehicle for exploring these concepts, their organic forms serving as metaphors for growth and transcendence.
Within this broader evolution, the green pitcher motif occupies a distinct place. Unlike his more overtly symbolic works—such as the floating eyes or hybrid creatures of his noirs—these still lifes represent Redon’s most direct engagement with observable reality. Yet they remain unmistakably his: the flowers’ slightly elongated stems and the pitcher’s exaggerated proportions betray his lifelong fascination with the boundary between the real and the imagined. This print captures that tension, offering a composition that feels both grounded in the physical world and suffused with an inner luminosity.
Redon’s pitcher isn’t a passive container but an active participant in the composition—its green hue absorbs the flowers’ reflections while asserting its own solid presence, creating a dialogue between the ephemeral and the enduring.
The Alchemy of Redon’s Composition
Chromatic Harmony and Contrast
Redon’s color choices in this work demonstrate his mastery of complementary contrasts. The pitcher’s deep green—mixed with subtle blue undertones—serves as the composition’s gravitational center, its cool temperature making the warm floral hues appear more intense. The flowers themselves deploy a triadic palette: golden yellows, soft pinks, and deep reds that create visual vibration without clashing. This careful balance reflects Redon’s study of Chevreul’s color theories, which he adapted to serve emotional rather than purely optical ends.
Spatial Ambiguity
The painting’s shallow depth defies conventional perspective. Redon collapses the space between the pitcher and the background, using minimal shadowing to suggest volume while keeping the forms nearly flat. This approach, influenced by Japanese woodblock prints he collected, allows the flowers to float in a liminal zone—neither fully three-dimensional nor entirely abstract. The result is a still life that feels simultaneously intimate and otherworldly, a quality that makes Redon’s floral works uniquely compelling in reproduction.
Own This Symbolist Masterpiece
Gallery-framed in 30×40 cm (12×16") with archival materials and UV-protective glass. Includes FREE worldwide shipping and a certificate of authenticity. Ready to hang.
Add to Cart — $24999Displaying Redon’s Floral Vision in Contemporary Spaces
This print’s 30×40 cm dimensions and restrained color palette make it remarkably versatile for modern interiors. The green pitcher’s muted tone allows the work to harmonize with both warm and cool wall colors: consider soft grays (like Farrow & Ball’s Skimming Stone) to emphasize the flowers’ luminosity, or deep blues (such as Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy) to create a jewel-box effect. In smaller rooms, position the print at eye level on a console table or shelf to create an intimate focal point; in larger spaces, it can anchor a gallery wall when paired with other Symbolist works or contemporary abstract pieces.
Lighting plays a crucial role in revealing Redon’s subtle color transitions. Avoid direct overhead lights, which can create glare on the glass. Instead, use adjustable picture lights or place the print where it can benefit from natural side lighting—particularly in north-facing rooms where the cool light will enhance the pitcher’s green tones without overwhelming the warmer floral hues. The composition’s vertical orientation makes it ideal for narrow walls, such as the space beside a doorway or between windows, where its elongated forms can draw the eye upward.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of frame is included, and how is it constructed?
The print arrives in a gallery-quality frame made from solid wood with a matte black finish, designed to complement the artwork’s tones. Each frame includes UV-protective glass and acid-free matting to ensure long-term preservation of the colors.
Where do you ship from, and how long does delivery take?
We ship worldwide from our production facilities in Europe and North America. Delivery typically takes 5–10 business days regardless of destination, with full tracking provided. All orders include FREE express shipping with no minimum purchase required.
How do you ensure the print’s colors remain vibrant over time?
Each print uses archival pigment inks on pH-neutral paper, rated for 100+ years without fading under normal lighting conditions. The UV-protective glass blocks 99% of harmful ultraviolet rays, while the acid-free matting prevents discoloration from environmental factors.
What is your return policy for framed prints?
We offer a 30-day return window for all framed prints. If you’re not completely satisfied, contact our support team to initiate a return—we’ll provide a prepaid shipping label and process your refund upon receipt of the undamaged artwork.
Sources & Further Reading
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Odilon Redon (1840–1916): Dreams and Visions." metmuseum.org
- Tate. "Odilon Redon." tate.org.uk
- The Art Story. "Odilon Redon: Symbolist Visionary." theartstory.org
More Works by Odilon Redon
Explore Redon’s evolving relationship with color and form through these complementary floral compositions and symbolic visions.
You May Also Love
Further Reading
Discover more about Odilon Redon’s artistic evolution and how to incorporate his works into modern spaces through these Zephyeer editorial features:
Ready to Bring Redon’s Vision Home?
This 30×40 cm framed print arrives ready to hang, with archival materials and FREE global shipping. Each order includes a certificate of authenticity and our 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Add to Cart — $24999