He falls, head-first, into the abyss (plate 17) 1896

"He falls, head-first, into the abyss (plate 17)" is a lithograph by Odilon Redon, created in 1896. This piece exemplifies Redon’s exploration of the Symbolist movement, employing a dark and atmospheric style to evoke a sense of the unknown. The central figure plunges towards the abyss, his body contorted in a dramatic fall. The looming horses above, shrouded in shadow, further heighten the sense of unease, suggesting a violent and inevitable descent. Redon's use of chiaroscuro, with stark contrasts of light and dark, adds to the unsettling mood, leaving the viewer to ponder the figure’s fate.