Different peoples inhabit the countries of the Ocean (plate 23) 1896

Odilon Redon created this lithograph, titled 'Different peoples inhabit the countries of the Ocean,' using dark, evocative imagery to explore the depths of the subconscious. Look closely, and you’ll see a collection of symbols that seem to emerge from the darkness. There's a horse, a grotesque head, seashells, and what seems to be a pair of claws or hands. The horse, a recurring motif, has long symbolized vitality and instinct. It reminds us of the classical world, yet here it’s unsettling, lurking in the shadows, a dreamlike figure. This symbol echoes across time, from the steeds of ancient Greek sculptures to the nightmares of Romantic painters, each reflecting a cultural fascination with the animal's primal energy. The cluster of stars above alludes to an expansive unknown, an element of cosmic mystery. Redon's ability to evoke a sense of unease speaks to our collective unconscious, tapping into primal fears and fascinations. These images are powerful precisely because they resist clear interpretation, inviting viewers to confront their own subconscious associations. This cyclical pattern, with symbols reappearing in new guises, highlights the enduring power of images to shape our understanding of ourselves and the world.