Devil take a head in the air 1876

Odilon Redon created ‘Devil take a head in the air’ using lithography, a printmaking technique, during a time of great social and political change in France. Redon lived through the Franco-Prussian War, the rise of the bourgeoisie, and the beginnings of modernism. His works are full of symbolism and explore the darker sides of the human psyche. Here, the devil, rendered with ambiguous gender traits, hovers over a landscape carrying a severed head. This image can be viewed as a challenge to traditional representations, pushing us to confront the unsettling aspects of our identities and society. Redon once said "My drawings inspire, and are not to be defined". In this context, this enigmatic image captures feelings of anxiety, alienation, and the disturbing beauty of our inner world. It’s a dark dream made visible. This piece resonates as a reflection of a society in turmoil, inviting each of us to recognize our own inner demons.