Oannes 

Odilon Redon, working in late 19th-century France, produced this pastel drawing called Oannes, which depicts a figure from Mesopotamian mythology. Redon lived in a period where the West was reckoning with a wider knowledge of global history. The work invites us to consider the interplay between gender, spirituality, and cultural narratives. Oannes, traditionally a male deity associated with wisdom, is here depicted with a softened, almost androgynous, visage, floating serenely above the waters. The choice to portray this ancient figure with such sensitivity challenges conventional representations of masculinity. In Redon's time, there was a growing fascination with non-Western cultures and spiritualities, but also a tendency toward exoticism. Redon here offers an opportunity to engage with the emotional and personal dimensions of ancient stories, inviting viewers to contemplate universal themes of knowledge, identity, and transformation. The artwork reflects the societal shifts and growing interests of the time.