And He Had in His Right Hand Seven Stars; and Out of His Mouth Went a Sharp Two-Edged Sword, plate 1 of 12 1899

"And He Had in His Right Hand Seven Stars; and Out of His Mouth Went a Sharp Two-Edged Sword" is a lithograph by French Symbolist artist Odilon Redon, created in 1899. This artwork, the first in a series of 12, depicts a mysterious figure shrouded in a white cloak, holding a sword to their mouth. The figure's pale face and dark surroundings contribute to the dreamlike and eerie atmosphere characteristic of Redon's work. The title, taken from the Book of Revelation, further enhances the symbolic nature of the composition, hinting at themes of power, spirituality, and the enigmatic nature of the divine. The Art Institute of Chicago houses this piece, a prime example of Redon's exploration of the subconscious and the power of suggestion in art.