"... And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword." 1899

Editor: Here we have Odilon Redon's print, "... And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword." It has this ethereal, almost unsettling quality. What strikes you most about this image? Curator: It's a vision, isn't it? Redon wasn't interested in depicting reality. He delved into the realm of dreams. Notice how the figure emerges from the darkness. Those stars, almost playfully scattered, clash intriguingly with the severity of that sword. Editor: So, it's not supposed to be literal? More symbolic? Curator: Precisely! Redon was a master of suggestion. Think of the evocative power of light and shadow. What does that sword suggest to you? Is it power, judgment, or something else entirely? It is all in our interpretation. Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way. It's more ambiguous and personal than I initially realized. Curator: Indeed! The beauty of Redon is that it reflects back our own inner landscapes. I learned something today too.