# Orpheus

**Odilon Redon** (French, 1840–1916)  
c. 1903–10  
pastel on brown paper  
Sheet: 68.8 x 56.8 cm (27 1/16 x 22 3/8 in.)

Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art, 1926.25. [The museum's record](https://clevelandart.org/art/1926.25).

## About this work

Drawn in vivid layers of pastel crayon, this work depicts the head of the poet and musician Orpheus. The story of the god of music, whose music carried on after his death through his lyre and head, fascinated Redon, who related to Orpheus's dedication to his art. The subject also aligned with Redon's broader interest in dreams and spirituality around this time and he represented Orpheus several times throughout his career, in various media. Here, the god's head floats as if in stasis while Mount Parnassus—the home of Apollo and the Muses—soars from behind.

_Text from the Cleveland Museum of Art._

Odilon Redon drew this in about 1903–10, aged about 58. It is now at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

### How it was made

- **Pastel.** Sticks of almost pure pigment with very little binder. The colour sits on the paper as powder: bright, matte and fragile.

### [Odilon Redon](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/odilon-redon)

French, 1840–1916; born in Bordeaux; died in Paris

Redon spent three decades working almost entirely in black: charcoal drawings he called his “noirs” and albums of lithographs peopled with floating eyes, strange plants and dreamlike heads, which made him a hero of the Symbolist writers. In the 1890s he turned to colour, and his later pastels and oils of flowers, myths and visions glow with intense hues. He was close to Mallarmé and admired by the young Nabis.

_Written by Ochre Editions._

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- Culture: France
- The artist was about 58
- Real size: about 27 × 22 in (69 × 57 cm). The 20 × 30 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 19th century
- Movement: [Post-Impressionism](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/post-impressionism)
- Colour: rose
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/516.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/516/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/orpheus-cma-108544).