Sometimes One Finds an Old Reminiscing Flask, Whence Issues in Full Life a Returning Soul (Parfois on trouve un vieux flacon qui se souvient, d'où jaillit toute vive une âme qui revient) from The Flowers of Evil (Les Fleurs du mal)

1880s

Death of his firstborn son Jean

Redon and Camille’s firstborn son, Jean, died at six months old. The artist was so downcast that for a time he could not work; the birth of a second son in 1889 helped him recover from his grief.

from 1890

The turn from “noirs” to colour

From 1890 Redon turned more and more to oil and pastel and gave up his “black” works; after 1900 he made no more noirs. He explained the change by saying he had realised that the unwinding ribbon of life brings not only sorrow but joy.

1899

The exhibition “In Honour of Redon” at Durand-Ruel’s

Paul Durand-Ruel organised an exhibition of young artists called “In Honour of Redon” which included Redon’s own pastels. The master’s finances nonetheless stayed difficult: his works did not sell.

1906

Exhibitions at Durand-Ruel’s and the Salon d’Automne

In 1906 Redon’s works were shown at Durand-Ruel’s gallery and, the same year, at the Salon d’Automne.

1913

The largest single display at the New York show

At the groundbreaking International Exhibition of Modern Art (the Armory Show), in New York, Chicago and Boston, Redon was given the largest single representation.

6. juli 1916

Died