The GamblerOdilon Redon · 1879

Identification of The Gambler by Odilon Redon

The artwork titled The Gambler was created by the artist Odilon Redon in 1879. This piece belongs to the Symbolism style. It is a lithograph that measures 27 x 19 cm. The work is part of the series titled In the Dream.

Odilon Redon produced this work during a period in which he focused on monochromatic studies. These works, which he referred to as his noirs, utilized black and white tones to explore the human psyche. The composition of The Gambler features a man walking through a wooded area. He is depicted without a shirt or pants and carries a box above his head. Several trees surround the figure, and a bench is visible in the background on the right side of the scene.

Composition and Visual Elements

The composition centers on a single male figure moving through a wooded environment. This man is depicted without a shirt or pants, appearing naked as he walks. He carries a box on his back, lifting it above his head with his hands as he progresses through the terrain. The figure is positioned amidst several trees that vary in proximity to the viewer; some trunks and branches appear in the immediate foreground, while others are situated further back in the distance.

The background contains a bench located toward the right side of the frame. The scene is rendered in a monochromatic palette, utilizing the black and white tones characteristic of a lithograph. The arrangement of the trees creates a sense of depth, framing the central figure within the natural setting. The light and shadow define the contours of the man's body and the edges of the object he carries.

Technique and Artistic Medium

This work is a lithograph rendered on paper. It belongs to the series titled In the Dream. The artist utilized the lithographic process to produce this monochromatic image, focusing on the interplay of light and dark through the use of stone and grease-based media. The resulting print presents a black and white composition that relies on tonal variations to define the forms of the figure and the surrounding woods.

The technical execution involves the application of materials to a stone surface to create a transfer image. In this specific piece, the lithographic method allows for a range of grey tones and sharp black lines. These elements define the texture of the trees and the silhouette of the man as he moves through the landscape. The medium facilitates a specific type of atmospheric depth, using the properties of ink on paper to establish the visual boundaries of the scene.

Related Works by Odilon Redon

The artist's output during the late nineteenth century includes several works that explore different subjects and forms. In 1878, he created Guardian Spirit of the Waters. This was followed by The Crying Spider in 1881. These pieces belong to a period where his focus remained on the development of his visual language through various printmaking and drawing methods.

As the artist moved into the turn of the century, his subject matter shifted. He produced The Death of Buddha in 1899. Later, around 1904, he created The Green Horseman. These works represent different stages of his career and his evolving approach to composition and form.