... And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword. - Odilon Redon

A haunting lithograph by Odilon Redon from his 1899 Apocalypse series, depicting a surreal, visionary scene from the Book of Revelation.

This lithograph by Odilon Redon is part of his 1899 series titled Apocalypse de Saint Jean. The work depicts a visionary scene derived from the Book of Revelation, specifically chapter one, verse sixteen. Redon, a central figure in the Symbolist movement, often explored themes of the subconscious, dreams, and mysticism. His approach to printmaking allowed for a unique manipulation of light and shadow, which he referred to as his noirs. The composition is dominated by a deep, velvety black background, a hallmark of Redon's lithographic technique. From this darkness emerges the central figure, rendered with ethereal, ghostly luminosity. The figure holds seven stars in an outstretched hand, while a sharp sword protrudes from the mouth, creating a striking visual interpretation of the biblical text. The contrast between the dense, textured shadows and the pale, spectral form of the figure creates a sense of otherworldly presence. Redon's work in this series moves away from literal representation, favouring an evocative, dreamlike quality. The figure's expression is fixed and haunting, drawing the viewer into a state of contemplation. By utilising the medium of lithography, Redon achieved a range of grey tones that mimic the texture of charcoal or pastel, adding to the atmospheric weight of the image. This piece demonstrates his ability to transform religious iconography into a personal, psychological exploration of the unknown. The lack of defined spatial depth forces the viewer to focus entirely on the symbolic elements, reinforcing the supernatural nature of the subject matter. It remains a clear example of how Redon used traditional print methods to push the boundaries of visual storytelling during the late nineteenth century.