Et il avait dans sa main droit sept etoiles, et de sa bouch sortait une epee aigue a deux tranchants 1899

Editor: So, here we have Odilon Redon’s "Et il avait dans sa main droit sept etoiles, et de sa bouche sortait une epee aigue a deux tranchants," created in 1899. It's an ink drawing, and I’m immediately struck by how unsettling yet compelling the figure is, especially the sword coming out of the mouth. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Redon's drawing embodies the Symbolist movement's fascination with the interior world and the power of suggestive imagery. This piece visualizes a quote from the Book of Revelation, a text often mined for its apocalyptic symbolism. Notice how Redon isn't just illustrating the verse literally. Editor: Right, there’s definitely something more to it than just a simple illustration. Curator: Exactly. Consider the socio-political context of the late 19th century. There was a growing unease, a fin-de-siècle anxiety about societal decay and the uncertainties of modernity. Artists were increasingly skeptical of traditional institutions and sought alternative ways to express their dissent and visions. What do you make of the seven stars? Editor: Stars held in hand evokes a sense of authority, or perhaps destiny, maybe even divine authority based on the biblical context. Curator: Precisely. Redon uses these symbols to engage with the politics of imagery. By depicting this figure with both celestial power and a weaponized word, he critiques power structures and how narratives—biblical or otherwise—are used to wield influence. The museum frames these images as holding historical narratives in trust. Editor: I hadn't considered how much the social anxieties of the time played into it, and the critique of authority and influence. That gives me a much better handle on understanding Redon. Curator: And for me, reflecting on your reading has strengthened my sense of this piece as something less divinely ordained and much more humanly conflicted than previously understood.