Winged Old Man with a Long White Beard 1900

Odilon Redon created this pastel drawing, Winged Old Man with a Long White Beard, in the late 19th century. Here, we see a winged figure draped in robes, head bowed in what seems like a moment of contemplation or sorrow. The long white beard and the wings mark this figure as an archetype of wisdom and spiritual experience. Consider the recurrence of winged figures throughout history, from the divine messengers of ancient Greece, like Hermes, to the angels of Christian art. The archetype has evolved, yet the core idea persists: a being that transcends earthly constraints, bridging the human and the divine. Similarly, the motif of the wise, old man appears across cultures, embodying knowledge gained through long experience, whether it's Merlin or a Biblical prophet. The muted colors and obscured face of Redon’s figure evoke a sense of mystery, drawing us into the internal, subconscious world. The image triggers a deep-seated awareness of mortality, change, and the eternal quest for meaning. These symbols have resonated with humanity for centuries.