And There Fell a Great Star from Heaven, Burning as it were a Lamp

Series Title: The Apocalypse of Saint John

And There Fell a Great Star from Heaven, Burning as it were a Lamp

1899

Ambroise Vollard

(French, 1867–1939)

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Culture

France, late 19th Century

Medium

lithograph

Support

China paper; wove paper

Measurements

Image: 30.3 x 23.3 cm (11 15/16 x 9 3/16 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Ralph King 1926.140.5

Catalogue raisonné

Mellerio 178

State

I/I

Edition

edition of 100

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

This is one of the last works where Redon experimented with lithograph and all-black medium. In contrast, bright, dazzling colors characterize his late works.

Description

The last of Odilon Redon’s 11 lithographic portfolios, this series relates to the Book of Revelation from the Christian Bible. The subject had been explored throughout art history, allowing the artist to align himself with past masters, such as Albrecht Dürer. Although Redon often vaguely referenced texts, these prints directly illustrate 12 individual passages, including one about a woman clothed with the sun and another focused on a great star falling from heaven. By the time he created this portfolio, Redon’s reputation was well established. The project was published by art dealer Ambroise Vollard, who began to sell and promote Redon’s work about a year earlier, building a market for his prints in Paris and abroad.