Redon, who painted fantastic interior worlds, was a leading Symbolist artist in fin de siècle France. In the solemn, mystical ambiance of this painting, a woman standing beside a column is speaking as another woman, her eyes downcast, listens. This motif was one Redon liked and depicted repeatedly, in prints, pastels, and oils. The theme has been said to be the visitation (a meeting between the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elizabeth) from the Bible but may also allude to other mystical topics. It was formerly in the collection of Arthur Fontaine, Redon’s sponsor and a literary patron.