Odilon Redon 1840 - 1916

Living first such a retiring life nothing pointed out in his younger years Redon would develop himself towards the famous symbolist he became. And although becoming a very distinguished character by the end of his days, he always remained rather private.
While he was still living in Bordeaux one could even say his life was lacking a little color. His art most certainly did. Till he moved to Paris his work was strictly created in blacks and whites. He specialized in this period in charcoal drawings and lithographs.
It was due to an religious crisis he had to endure, that he came in touch with deeper dimensions of the mind. More colorful and daring. Because of all this he moved to Paris (in 1870) and from this moment on his work showed a colorful outburst of weird creatures, insects and flowers.

Forces which till these days and ages had been slumbering in our sub-conscious had since the arrival of men like Freud and Jung found itself channels from where they could bubble up more easily to our conscious. Creating much more space in the minds of human beings and artists like Redon showed us, by the meaning of their art, a way to integrate this in our daily existence.
The exclusive focus on our photographic vision got much more spectacular and complete when the layers of our collective subconscious became less hermetic and brought us in touch with far more richer realities.
Since then the work of many artists became even visionary. 
In a short period of time the human mind started to change drastically.
And what popped up from Redon's mind in a flamboyant and cheerful way, - something what almost seemed to  overcome him - developed by Ernst Fuchs towards an almost clinical accusation against fascism.

While Redon's art was still centered around the symbolism in vegetation, flowers and mythological subjects, the later surrealists and abstract artists could effort themselves even more liberties, just because of earlier pears like Redon. 
They all teached us how to look at things in a more pliant way. A skill we badly need to become ready for the current earthquake awaiting us: virtual reality!