L’Aile 1893

Odilon Redon's lithograph presents us with a winged horse, a creature that immediately recalls the myth of Pegasus. In antiquity, this magnificent being sprang forth from the blood of Medusa, a symbol of divine inspiration and poetic flight. The winged horse transcends mere representation; it embodies aspiration, the soul's yearning for transcendence found also in ancient depictions of winged gods and spirits across cultures. Consider the Assyrian Lamassu, or the Greek Eros, all conveying a desire to overcome earthly bounds. Yet, Redon's Pegasus is cast in shadow, a melancholic rather than triumphant figure. This transformation speaks to the symbol's evolution. The lightness of the classical ideal contrasts Redon's more introspective, almost dreamlike interpretation. It echoes a collective memory, a longing for what is just beyond our grasp. The image evokes a powerful, subconscious resonance that allows viewers to connect deeply with their innermost hopes and dreams. This symbol’s recurring presence in art is not linear but cyclical, resurfacing and evolving through history.