Anthony: Help me, O my God! (plate 2) 1896

This lithograph, titled "Anthony: Help me, O my God!" was made by Odilon Redon. Lithography is a printmaking process that relies on the simple principle that oil and water don't mix. The artist draws an image on a flat stone or metal plate with a greasy crayon or ink. The stone is then treated with chemicals so that only the drawn areas will hold ink. When printed, the image is transferred to paper, creating a mirror image of the original drawing. What's fascinating about this work is how Redon uses the inherent qualities of lithography to evoke a sense of mystery and dreamlike ambiguity. The grainy texture and subtle tonal gradations create an atmosphere of ethereal beauty, perfectly suited to the subject matter. By embracing this process, Redon blurred the lines between drawing and printmaking, elevating the medium to new artistic heights. It demonstrates how seemingly simple materials can be transformed into powerful expressions of human creativity. This challenges the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.