Et l’homme parut, interrogeant le sol d’ou il sort et qui l’attire, il se fraya la voie vers 1883

Odilon Redon created this lithograph titled Et l’homme parut, interrogeant le sol d’ou il sort et qui l’attire, il se fraya la voie vers. Redon was working in France during a period of significant social and political upheaval, including the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and new scientific ideas that challenged traditional beliefs. His work often delves into the exploration of human existence, spirituality, and the mysteries of the subconscious mind. In this image, the somber tones and stark contrasts evoke a sense of primordial emergence. A lone figure, rendered in shadow, rises from the earth. This man seems to embody a fundamental quest for meaning and direction as he emerges from the depths of the unknown. His title translates to "And man appeared, questioning the ground from which he emerges and which attracts him, he made his way toward." The artist’s words, “My originality consists in bringing to life, in a credible way, unlikely beings and making them live according to the laws of probability, by putting as far as possible the logic of the visible at the service of the invisible,” resonate in this work. Redon invites us to contemplate our own origins, to question our purpose, and to embrace the uncertainties of the human condition.