The Charger

Art Historical Context

Odilon Redon’s 1894 lithograph *The Charger* exemplifies the artist’s signature Symbolist approach, in which everyday subjects are transformed into evocative, dreamlike images. Redon, a leading figure of the late-nineteenth-century Symbolist movement, often used printmaking to explore themes of imagination and the subconscious rather than literal representation. The medium of lithography suited his vision perfectly: its soft, velvety tones and subtle gradations allowed him to create mysterious atmospheres that invite viewers to ponder deeper meanings. Depicting a horse—suggested by the work’s title and the museum’s “Horses” tag—the print reflects Redon’s fascination with animals as symbols of strength, freedom, or mythic power. Created during a prolific period when Redon produced numerous lithographic albums, *The Charger* demonstrates his technical mastery in balancing light and shadow to evoke emotion. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the Rogers Fund in 1922, the sheet remains a compelling example of how Redon elevated printmaking from reproduction to fine art.

About the Artist

Odilon Redon · 1840–1916

Odilon Redon (1840-1916) was a French Symbolist painter, printmaker, and pastellist whose visionary art bridged the 19th-century Symbolist movement and 20th-century Surrealism. Born Bertrand Redon in Bordeaux on April 20, 1840, he earned the nickname "Odilon" from his mother Odile. His father, who made his fortune in the Louisiana slave trade, conceived Odilon in New Orleans before the family retu...