"... And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals." 1899

Curator: This lithograph by Odilon Redon, found in the Harvard Art Museums, is titled "...And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals." Editor: My first impression is one of stark foreboding—the shadowy figures seem trapped within some arcane ritual. Curator: Redon made this print as part of his Apocalypse series, referencing the Book of Revelation. It’s fascinating how he interprets these powerful biblical images through the lens of late 19th-century Symbolism. Editor: Symbolism is right. The sealed book immediately conjures ideas of hidden knowledge, inaccessible power—but also perhaps, withheld justice in systems of oppression. The seated figure exudes a sense of judgement. Curator: Absolutely. And Redon's use of black and white heightens the drama and sense of mystery, which speaks to the era's focus on the psychological and the unseen. Editor: Considering that, one can see how the imagery speaks to enduring themes. The notion of a reckoning, of consequences for actions—these are concepts that persist across time and culture. Curator: Indeed, Redon translates biblical lore into questions about power and destiny, compelling then and now. Editor: It's striking how Redon's personal vision allows him to render the mythic with such raw, unsettling immediacy.