And I Saw an Angel Coming Down from Heaven, Having the Key of the Bottomless Pit and a Great Chain in His Hand

Series Title: The Apocalypse of Saint John

And I Saw an Angel Coming Down from Heaven, Having the Key of the Bottomless Pit and a Great Chain in His Hand

1899

Ambroise Vollard

(French, 1867–1939)

View all records in artwork set

Culture

France, late 19th Century

Medium

lithograph

Support

China paper; wove paper

Measurements

Image: 30.4 x 23.2 cm (11 15/16 x 9 1/8 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Ralph King 1926.140.9

Catalogue raisonné

Mellerio 181

State

I/I

Edition

edition of 100

You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

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.