To increase our moral force . . .

Today is the birthday of Bertrand-Jean Redon (April 20, 1840 – July 6, 1916), Symbolist painter, printmaker, draughtsman and pastellist. He is best known as Odilon Redon.

Le Bouddha (The Buddha)
Odilon Redon
c. 1905
Pastel on paper
35 1/2 x 28 3/4 in. (98 x 73 cm)
Musee d'Orsay
Paris, France

"While I recognize the necessity for a basis of observed reality... true art lies in a reality that is felt." - Odilon Redon

"The value of art lies in its power to increase our moral force or establish its heightening influence." - Odilon Redon

Image source (1)