I Have Sometimes Seen in the Sky What Seemed Like Forms of Spirits, plate 21 of 24

Art Historical Context

Odilon Redon's *I Have Sometimes Seen in the Sky What Seemed Like of Spirits*, plate 21 from a series of 24 lithographs created in 1896, viewers into the ethereal world of Symbolism. Redon, a pioneering French artist (1840–1916), was renowned for his dreamlike visions that blurred the line between reality and the subconscious, often exploring mysticism and the unseen. This haunting image, printed in black ink on delicate light gray loose chine (a thin Chinese paper collé to a support sheet), exemplifies his mastery of lithography during the fin-de-siècle era, when printmaking allowed innovative experimentation with tone and texture. Measuring 27 × 20.5 cm for the image and housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, the work captures Redon's fascination with spectral forms and cosmic reverie. As part of a larger series, it reflects the Symbolist movement's emphasis on evoking emotion and spiritual insight over literal representation, influencing later Surrealists like Max Ernst. The subtle gray ground enhances the ghostly apparitions, creating an otherworldly glow that feels both intimate and infinite—perfect for pondering the mysteries of the imagination. Visitors to the virtual gallery might linger on how Redon's "noirs" (black monoprints) transitioned to his vibrant pastels, marking a pivotal shift in modern art. A testament to 19th-century print innovation, this piece reminds us that true art often reveals what the eye alone cannot see.

About the Artist

Odilon Redon · 1840–1916

Odilon Redon (1840-1916) was a French Symbolist painter, printmaker, and pastellist whose visionary art bridged the 19th-century Symbolist movement and 20th-century Surrealism. Born Bertrand Redon in Bordeaux on April 20, 1840, he earned the nickname "Odilon" from his mother Odile. His father, who made his fortune in the Louisiana slave trade, conceived Odilon in New Orleans before the family retu...