Day appears at last ... and in the very disk of the sun shines face of Jesus Christ (plate 24) 1896

Odilon Redon made this lithograph, "Day appears at last ... and in the very disk of the sun shines face of Jesus Christ," among a series of illustrations for a book called "The Temptation of Saint Anthony" by Gustave Flaubert. Redon, working in late 19th century France, was part of a Symbolist movement which favored the evocative power of suggestion over the clarity of realism. This print can be understood in light of his broader artistic interest in exploring the complexities of human psychology and spirituality. Here, the representation of Jesus Christ merges with the rising sun, a symbol of hope, rebirth, and divine illumination. The crown of thorns, usually a symbol of suffering, is rendered with meticulous detail, contrasting with the gentle, almost ethereal face of Christ. It suggests an alternative narrative where the savior emerges, serene and resilient. The artwork reflects the artist’s grappling with themes of faith and doubt, as well as the search for spiritual meaning in a rapidly changing world.