Portrait d'Arï Redon au col marin

1867–1915

Begins the journal “To Myself”

From 1867 Redon kept a journal, “À soi-même” (“To Myself”), setting out his views on art and creation; the last entries date from 1915.

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.

30. April 1889

Son born: Arï Redon

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.

1899

Maurice Denis introduces him to the Nabis

In 1899 Maurice Denis introduced Redon to the Nabis group.