Sur le fond de nos nuits dieu de son doigt savant dessine un cauchemar multiforme et sans treve (On backdrop of our nights God with His knowing finger traces a multiform implacable nightmare) 1890

Curator: This unsettling print before us, crafted by Odilon Redon in 1890, is entitled "Sur le fond de nos nuits dieu de son doigt savant dessine un cauchemar multiforme et sans treve," or "On the backdrop of our nights God with His knowing finger traces a multiform implacable nightmare." It is rendered in lithograph. Editor: Whew, even the title gives me the creeps! It feels like a window into a troubled dream. The faces seem trapped, suspended in this shadowy abyss. Curator: The piece really captures the spirit of Symbolism, diving deep into the realms of dreams, nightmares, and the subconscious. Redon, during this period, heavily explored the darker aspects of human psychology and existence. We see this reflected in his choice of imagery. The floating heads suggest fragmentation and alienation. Editor: Totally. It's like peering into someone else's mind at 3 AM – all distorted and kinda scary. And what is going on with the lines? The diagonal slashing feels so oppressive, like everything is collapsing inwards. It's like a visual representation of anxiety, you know? Like being trapped in your own thoughts. Curator: Precisely. One could argue that Redon provides us with social commentary of his period, depicting anxieties about faith, modernity, and individual identity amid shifting social structures and the burgeoning field of psychology pioneered by figures like Freud. The contrast with his later colorful pastels is pretty stark; his earlier, darker lithographs allowed him to express more ambiguous and disturbing feelings with such strong effect. Editor: Absolutely, you can practically taste the angst. For me it feels almost timeless, as it so keenly observes human emotion when facing distress or turmoil. It doesn't have the answers, but holds up a mirror. Curator: Indeed. This work speaks to the shared human experiences of fear and uncertainty. We feel Redon's own experience embedded in this artwork. Editor: Well, I’m going to go ponder something less likely to induce insomnia! But definitely powerful to witness Redon grappling with these ideas. Curator: I concur. A vital and disquieting visual expression within the Symbolist movement.