The Gambler 1879

Odilon Redon made this small lithograph, entitled ‘The Gambler’, working with a greasy crayon on a prepared stone. The image has a grainy texture, achieved by abrading the stone’s surface, so that the crayon would adhere evenly. The lithographic process allowed Redon to create a complex interplay of light and shadow. Notice how the figure with the die head is placed within a dark, seemingly haunted forest. Lithography was not an especially laborious method, but it did require specialized knowledge and equipment. Like other printmaking techniques, it democratized image production – making it possible to disseminate an artwork to a broad audience. The social context here is important: Redon made this print in the late 19th century, a time of rapid industrialization and urbanization. The image can be interpreted as a commentary on the risks and uncertainties of modern life, where individuals are often seen as mere pawns in a game of chance. By focusing on the materials, making, and social context of this lithograph, we can see how Redon challenged traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.