Odilon Redon – Ophelia among the Flowers Part 5 National Gallery UK

The composition presents a submerged figure enveloped by a profusion of flora, set against a backdrop of indistinct landscape elements. The central focus is drawn immediately to the reclining form, partially obscured by water and densely layered vegetation. It appears female, though details are softened and ambiguous; only a suggestion of hair and a pale limb are discernible. This lack of precise definition contributes to an overall sense of melancholy and dissolution.
The floral arrangement dominates the foreground. A vibrant mix of blooms – red poppies, blue irises, and white blossoms – are rendered with a delicate yet somewhat unsettling intensity. The colors are saturated, almost hallucinatory, creating a visual richness that contrasts sharply with the somber mood. Butterflies, depicted in shades of blue and grey, flutter amongst the flowers, adding an element of fragile beauty and perhaps symbolizing fleeting existence or transformation.
Behind this floral cascade, a blurred landscape emerges. A dark, rocky outcrop rises on the right side, while a hazy expanse of water stretches towards a muted sky. The color palette here is restrained – earthy browns, pale blues, and touches of pink – further emphasizing the vibrancy of the flowers in the foreground. This background lacks sharp definition, contributing to an atmosphere of dreamlike unreality.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of loss, grief, and the relationship between life and death. The submerged figure suggests a state of transition or surrender, evoking feelings of sadness and vulnerability. The abundance of flowers can be interpreted as both a symbol of beauty and remembrance, and also as an indication of natures indifference to human suffering. The butterflies introduce a layer of symbolism related to metamorphosis and the soul’s journey beyond earthly existence.
The artist employs a technique that blends realism with abstraction. While recognizable elements are present – flowers, water, rock formations – they are rendered in a way that prioritizes mood and atmosphere over precise representation. This deliberate blurring of boundaries creates an unsettling yet captivating visual experience, inviting contemplation on the ephemeral nature of life and the enduring power of memory. The overall effect is one of quiet devastation, imbued with a sense of profound emotional depth.