early life and career bertrand redon, a french symbolist artist, was born in 1840 in bordeaux, france. he worked primarily in charcoal and lithography early in his career, producing works known as his noirs. redon gained recognition after his drawings were mentioned in the 1884 novel à rebours (against nature) by joris-karl huysmans. artistic style and influences during the 1890s, redon began working in pastel and oil, which became his preferred medium. he developed a keen interest in hindu and buddhist religion and culture, which increasingly showed in his work. redon is best known for the d…