Immediately Three Goddesses Arise, plate 11 of 24

Art Historical Context

Odilon Redon's *Immediately Three Goddesses Ar*, plate 11 from a series of 24 lithographs in 1896, viewers into the artist's dreamlike Symbolist world. Redon (1840–1916), a French master of the fantastical, drew inspiration from mythology, literature, and the subconscious, often evoking ethereal visions in his "Noirs"—monochrome prints that blend mystery and poetry. This work, with its poetic title suggesting divine emergence, exemplifies his ability to conjure otherworldly narratives through subtle suggestion rather than literal depiction. Printed in black ink on ivory China paper laid down on ivory wove paper, the lithograph showcases Redon's virtuoso technique. Lithography, which he perfected in the 1870s and 1880s, allowed for velvety tones, soft gradations, and intricate details within the modest image size of 17 × 13.3 cm. The China paper enhances the print's luminosity and finesse, making it a prized example of fin-de-siècle printmaking that democratized access to elite art. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings department, this piece highlights Redon's pivotal role in bridging Impressionism and Symbolism. Its series context underscores his fascination with cycles of creation and apparition, offering museum visitors a tantalizing glimpse into the Symbolist imagination.

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...