And There Fell a Great Star from Heaven, Burning as it were a Lamp - Odilon Redon

A striking lithograph from Odilon Redon's 1899 Apocalypse series, capturing a celestial event through dramatic contrasts of light and shadow.

This lithograph is part of the Apocalypse de Saint-Jean, a series of twelve prints produced by Odilon Redon in 1899. The work interprets a passage from the Book of Revelation, depicting the celestial event with the artist's characteristic focus on shadow and light. Redon, a central figure in the Symbolist movement, moved away from the objective representation of nature to explore the internal world of dreams, memory, and the subconscious. The composition is dominated by a central, radiating light source that cuts through the surrounding darkness. This stark contrast is achieved through the technical capabilities of lithography, allowing for deep, velvety blacks and ethereal, glowing whites. The figures surrounding the falling star possess an ambiguous, almost insect-like quality, which is a recurring motif in Redon's 'noirs' period. These forms emerge from the gloom, suggesting a narrative that is psychological rather than strictly biblical. Redon's approach to the subject matter avoids literal illustration. Instead, he creates an atmosphere of unease and wonder. The lines are varied, shifting from dense, textured shading to fluid, sweeping strokes that define the trail of the falling star. By focusing on the emotional resonance of the text, Redon invites the viewer to engage with the image as a subjective experience. The print demonstrates his mastery of tonal range, using the medium to suggest textures and depths that transcend the flat surface of the paper. This piece remains a primary example of how late nineteenth-century artists utilised printmaking to explore themes of mysticism and the supernatural, moving beyond the constraints of traditional academic art.