Immediately three goddesses arise (plate 11) 1896

Odilon Redon created this lithograph, "Immediately three goddesses arise (plate 11)," amidst the Symbolist movement, which was deeply engaged with the exploration of dreams, the unconscious, and the mystical. Redon, working in late 19th century France, turned to mythology to convey the power and potential of femininity. These goddesses are rendered with a delicate, almost ethereal quality, emerging from the darkness as if from a dream. Redon sought to represent an inner world of emotions and sensations, moving away from the academic and historical painting that dominated the artistic landscape. The figures, while classical in subject, are decidedly modern in their execution. "My drawings inspire, and are not to be defined. They determine nothing," he said, inviting viewers to engage with the artwork on a personal, emotional level. Redon's goddesses reflect a shift in societal perceptions of women, from passive muses to active, powerful figures. Their emergence speaks to the evolving role of women in society and the growing recognition of female agency.