Everywhere Eyeballs are Aflame (1888)

Odilon Redon's evocative masterpiece, "Everywhere Eyeballs are Aflame" (1888), stands as a striking example of the artist's unique ability to meld the real with the surreal, drawing us into a world where the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. This artwork, marked by its dramatic contrasts and compelling imagery, invites viewers to explore the complex interplay of sight and perception.At the center of this lithograph is a meticulously detailed eyeball, suspended over a shadowed, rocky landscape. The eye, intensely rendered with a dark, gaping pupil and surrounded by radiating eyelashes, compels the viewer to meet its gaze, creating an unsettling sense of being watched. The textured background, with its swirling, cloud-like patterns, further enhances the dreamlike quality of the piece, suggesting a vast, unbounded sky.Redon’s work often delves into themes of the internal psyche, and "Everywhere Eyeballs are Aflame" is no exception. The eye in this lithograph can be interpreted as a symbol of the all-seeing inner self, examining the landscapes within us or perhaps reflecting on the external world around us. The title itself suggests a fiery intensity of vision, a relentless observation or enlightenment.This artwork is not just a visual experience but a portal to introspection. As we gaze upon the eye, we might find ourselves contemplating the nature of perception, the boundaries of our vision, and the endless possibilities that lie in the way we interpret the world.