The Old Knight
Original title: The Old Knight
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike many nineteenth-century depictions of knights that rely on heroic poses, Odilon Redon's 1896 lithograph "Der alte Ritter" shows a figure in armor turned to the left, while a winged being appears through a window behind him. Printed on chine collé, the sheet measures 30 x 23.5 cm (image size).
Description
An old knight in profile dominates the foreground; his left-facing head and armor are rendered with fine lines and hatching. Behind him, a window opens onto a winged figure. The layout is asymmetrical: the knight fills the darker foreground, while the winged creature appears in the lighter background. Light entering from outside through the window emphasizes the silhouette of the winged figure and creates a strong contrast between the two zones.
Context
Around 1896, Redon devoted himself increasingly to printmaking; "Der alte Ritter" belongs to his middle period, shaped by Symbolist motifs and an engagement with dream worlds. Lithography on chine collé, then a common technique in France, allowed for subtle gradations. Redon's fascination with mystical and fantastic themes is also evident in this print.
Impact
A quiet, contemplative mood emanates from the sheet, heightened by the contrast between the old knight and the winged apparition. The monochrome gray palette and fine texture give the work a melancholic, almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Technique
In this lithograph on chine collé, thin China paper is mounted onto a heavier support. Redon applied the detailed lines and shading with lithographic chalk or ink to the stone and printed them. The process allows for precise reproduction of fine tonal gradations, characteristic of Redon's prints.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)