I saw a flash of light, large and pale 1896

Odilon Redon created this lithograph, titled "I saw a flash of light, large and pale," using stark contrasts and textural variety to explore the depths of perception and the unseen. The composition is divided starkly; one side is lit, revealing wood-paneled walls and a tiled floor, while the other plunges into an almost impenetrable darkness, where only the vague form of a staircase can be discerned. This stark juxtaposition creates a visual tension, drawing you into a space that is both familiar and deeply unsettling. Redon masterfully uses lithography to create subtle tonal gradations, evoking a sense of mystery. Redon's image destabilizes conventional notions of space and perspective, reflecting broader artistic and philosophical concerns, moving beyond surface appearances to explore the realm of dreams and subconscious experience. The contrast between light and shadow challenges the idea of a stable, knowable reality. Redon invites us to consider how our perception shapes our understanding of the world, suggesting that what we see is but a fraction of what exists.