And over there, the Astral Idol, the Apotheosis
Original title: And over there, the Astral Idol, the Apotheosis
kurzbeschreibung
Odilon Redon made this lithograph in 1891. A monk stands within a circular, portal-like opening that points toward the sky. The sheet belongs to a series in which Redon explores his leaning toward mysticism and dream worlds.
Description
A monk in a long-sleeved robe, lance in his right hand, serious and withdrawn. He is placed inside a round structure that feels like a gate to heaven. Dark tones and strong shading define the surroundings. Beneath the image runs the inscription 'et là-bas L'IDOLE ASTRALE, l'apothéose'.
Context
This 1891 lithograph is part of a series that takes up spiritual and occult themes. Redon was influenced by Symbolism and the literature of his time, especially Edgar Allan Poe and Charles Baudelaire. The monk with lance and the portal point to his interest in mysticism and ideas of the beyond.
Impact
A quiet yet uncanny mood emanates from the sheet. The dark setting and the monk's pensive posture invite reflection on transcendence and the unknown.
Technique
For this lithograph Redon drew with greasy chalk on the stone. Fine shading and contrasts create a gloomy, mysterious atmosphere. The sheet measures 44.6 x 31.6 cm, the image motif 17.8 x 19.2 cm.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)