To offer you even more information about the museum and Vincent van Gogh, and serve you better, we use cookies. By clicking ‘Accept’, you are giving us permission to use these cookies. Cookies help us to ensure that the website works properly. We also analyse how the website is used, so that we can make any necessary improvements. Advertisements can also be displayed tailored to your interests. And finally, we use cookies to display forms, Google Maps and other embedded content.
Find out more about our cookies.

Search the collection

This image is
unavailable

Meer informatie

In Heaven or Closed Eyes
Odilon Redon, 1889

  • Download image
    • Terms and conditions (pdf)
    • To use the image for commercial purposes, please request separately
  • Share this work
    Facebook (Opens in new window) Twitter (Opens in new window) Pinterest (Opens in new window) E-mail (Opens your Emailclient)

In Heaven or Closed Eyes

Odilon Redon (1840 - 1916), 1889

oil on cardboard, 45 cm x 35 cm
Credits: Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (State of the Netherlands)


This woman with her closed eyes is an intriguing figure. She symbolizes Redon’s views on art. Essentially, he wanted to turn his gaze inwards. Undistracted by visible reality, he found the true inspiration for his art in that inner world. The woman’s halo underlines the spiritual resonance of the image.

In 1889, Odilon Redon noted the sale of this painting to Theo van Gogh in his account book. He was still calling it In Heaven at that time. Later, he gave it its present title: Closed Eyes. In 1890, Theo also bought a print featuring one of Redon’s many variations on the same theme.

Search in the collection:

  • 1889
  • painting
  • fantasy
  • figure (representation)
  • Odilon Redon

Object number
s0500N1999
Credits
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (State of the Netherlands)
Dimensions
45 cm x 35 cm, 74.3 cm x 64.5 cm

Related work

Closed Eyes (Yeux clos), 1890