And He Had in His Right Hand Seven Stars; and Out of His Mouth Went a Sharp Two-Edged Sword - Odilon Redon

A haunting lithograph from Odilon Redon's 1899 Apocalypse series, capturing a surreal vision from the Book of Revelation through atmospheric use of black ink.

This lithograph by Odilon Redon forms part of his 1899 series, 'L'Apocalypse de Saint Jean'. The work interprets a vision from the Book of Revelation, depicting the figure of Christ as described in the text. Redon employs his characteristic 'noirs', a term he used to describe his charcoal drawings and lithographs that explore the expressive potential of black ink on paper. The composition is dominated by deep, atmospheric shadows that emerge from the darkness. The central figure is rendered with a ghostly, ethereal quality, his features softened by the granular texture of the lithographic stone. A sword extends from the figure's mouth, a literal translation of the biblical imagery, while his right hand holds seven stars. The contrast between the stark white of the figure and the surrounding void creates a sense of otherworldly presence. Redon moved away from the objective observation of the natural world, preferring to depict the interior life of the imagination. His technique relies on the layering of tones to create a sense of mystery. The light appears to emanate from within the figure rather than from an external source, contributing to the dreamlike atmosphere. This print demonstrates his ability to transform theological text into a visual experience that prioritises mood and psychological weight over narrative clarity. The work remains a primary example of late nineteenth-century Symbolist printmaking, where the artist sought to evoke ideas through suggestion and ambiguity rather than direct representation.