Violette Heymann – Odilon Redon reproduction

Violette Heymann by Odilon Redon: a portrait among flowers

Created in 1910, Violette Heymann by Odilon Redon combines a profile portrait with a profusion of colourful flowers. The young woman sits on the right, facing left. Her pale blue dress, white collar and brown hair stand out against a grey background, while blue, purple, pink and green flowers fill the left side and the top of the image.

The stillness of the profile and the movement of colour

Redon leaves a relatively open space in front of the face. This area highlights the delicate profile and contrasts with the floral shapes around it. The petals overlap without forming a clearly bounded bouquet: they seem to float in space. The eye can move from the face to the patches of colour, then return to the details of the clothing and the chair back.

The powdery texture of pastel is visible in the transitions between colours. It gives the outlines a softness different from that of a drawing with crisp lines. The luminous accents of the flowers echo the more restrained shades of the dress without overshadowing the sitter.

A pastel held at the Cleveland Museum of Art

The original is a pastel on grey paper held at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The museum identifies Violette as the niece of the Parisian collector Marcel Kapferer. This portrait belongs to a group of works in which Redon combines female figures and flowers. Discover other compositions by the artist in our collection of Odilon Redon reproductions.

The floral theme continues in our reproduction of Large Bouquet of Wildflowers. You can also explore Redon’s Butterflies to compare other forms and combinations of colour.

A reproduction for a softly coloured space

The grey background and pale blue clothing can complement a light wall or understated textiles, leaving the flowers to provide the brightest accents. In a bedroom, living room or near a reading corner, choose a position where the portrait can be viewed at eye level. Select the size and available options to suit the space you are furnishing.