The Chariot of Apollo
Original title: The Chariot of Apollo
kurzbeschreibung
Between 1905 and 1916, Odilon Redon painted the sun god Apollo driving a chariot pulled by four horses. Executed in oil on canvas, the picture belongs to Symbolism.
Description
A male figure steers a team of four horses. The animals are captured in violent motion, their legs and wings stretching far out. The figure in the chariot raises one arm in a heroic gesture. Clouds and blue sky form the backdrop, creating a heavenly mood. Pastel tones, especially blue and green, along with diffuse light, give the image a dreamlike quality. The layout is asymmetrical; fluid, light brushstrokes produce a soft, almost hazy effect.
Context
Redon made this painting in his later years, after turning away from his black-and-white phase and toward color. The myth of Apollo as sun god recurs several times in his late work. By then, Symbolism was firmly established in French art, and Redon was one of its leading figures.
Impact
A calm, detached mood emanates from the picture, reinforced by the pastel tones and soft light. Yet the dynamic rendering of the horses injects a palpable sense of movement and draws the viewer into the scene.
Technique
Redon worked with oil on canvas, using fluid, light brushstrokes. The colors are applied in a pastel-like manner, which brings about the soft, diffuse appearance.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)