Session: February 14, 2015,
Symbolist Art and the Unconscious,
Sponsored by ALMSD: Art, Literature, Music in Symbolism and Decadence
Hilton New York, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York City, Bryant
Suite, 2nd Floor, Sat, Feb 14, 2015 (12:30 PM - 02:00 PM)
Rosina Neginsky
University of Illinois Springfield
"Redon and Charcot"
The bulk of artworks Odilon Redon created after the death of his father and the death of his first child is in black charcoal. Each represents different manifestations of the subconscious that were informed by his
appreciation for Jean-Marie Charcot's research and publications. Charcot had discussed the invisible region of the unconscious as a field within the head or emanating from the head. This field needed to be purified of
pathologies and was also potentially receptive to forces that could have salutary effects, forcing the unconscious to merge with the conscious during the healing process. Redon attempted to paint a pure thought, freed from the torment of the subconscious, as a symbol of the illuminated soul. One of the examples of such a motif is the radiant light around the head functions as a symbol of that freedom. Similarly, after the birth of Redon’s son Ary, Redon’s palette changed and became very colorful. He used pastels and oils instead of charcoal. He painted flowers and insects from nature. He also attempted to paint light itself. I would like to explore how Redon’s works are related to Charcot's theories and how they allow access to Redon's own subconscious world.
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