Violette Heymann by Odilon Redon, 1910, The Cleveland Museum of Art

Symbolism is a genre that often is over-looked for Surrealism or Impressionism. It has roots in literature, the author Baudelaireis credited with its formation and being influenced by Poe. Many of the 19th century artists whose work is having a renaissance recently: Klimt, Moreau, Munch, to name a few, are considered to be part of the Symbolist category.

Odilon Redon, is best known for his prints and pastels, and his work is full of symbolism and he is quoted as having said he wanted to "place the visible at the service of the invisible." This is a portrait, so much more straight forward than some of his other works, but the sitter seems to be surrounded by floating flowers, who make her seem dour in comparison.