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

French symbolist artist Odilon Redon, renowned for his enigmatic and often dream-like visions, presents a compelling visual narrative in the lithograph titled "Et il avait dans sa main droit sept etoiles, et de sa bouche sortait une epee aigue a deux tranchants" (1899). This piece, whose title translates to "And he had in his right hand seven stars, and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword," is steeped in mesmerizing symbolism and draws from the mystical imagery of the Apocalypse.The artwork features an ethereal figure at its center, dominated by an enigmatic visage that holds the viewer's gaze. This figure grasps a sword, not in a pose of aggression, but aligned with its mouth, suggesting that the sword is an extension of its speech or breath, metaphorically linking the concepts of thought and action. The inclusion of "seven stars" is visible in the delicate, almost ghostly light depicted in the being's right hand, enhancing the celestial and otherworldly theme.Redon's masterful use of monochrome lithography adds depth and intensity to the scene, with dark, heavy backgrounds contrasted sharply against the mystical figure’s luminous face and hands. This chiaroscuro effect not only highlights the spiritual and unknown but also creates an atmosphere of solemnity and introspection.In this haunting composition, Odilon Redon invites viewers into a realm where the spiritual and tangible worlds intertwine.