The beasts of the sea, round like leather bottles (plate 22) 1896

Odilon Redon made this lithograph, titled *The beasts of the sea, round like leather bottles*, in late nineteenth-century France. Redon was a Symbolist artist, concerned with expressing ideas and emotions through symbolic images rather than representing the visible world realistically. This nightmarish image of amorphous sea creatures taps into the cultural anxieties of the time. Rapid industrialization, scientific advancements, and social changes led to a sense of uncertainty and alienation. Redon's creatures, with their grotesque forms and alien presence, reflect this unease. The Symbolists were influenced by philosophical ideas. They saw the world as a realm of hidden meanings. Redon’s artistic journey took place at a time when the role of art was being questioned. He challenged the academic conventions of the time by delving into the realm of dreams and the subconscious. By exploring the cultural and intellectual context of Redon's time, we can better understand the artist's work. Resources include exhibition catalogs, biographies, and critical analyses.