Artwork

And a Large Bird, Descending from the Sky, Hurls Itself against the Topmost Point of Her Hair

And a Large Bird, Descending from the Sky, Hurls Itself against the Topmost Point of Her Hair is a print by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

And a Large Bird, Descending from the Sky, Hurls Itself against the Topmost Point of Her Hair is a lithograph from a portfolio inspired by Gustave Flaubert’s novel The Temptation of Saint Anthony. This print is part of Redon’s interpretation of the novel’s dark, imaginative tone.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a static female figure under attack by a gigantic bird in mid-dive, with outstretched wings, extended claws, and open beak. Although the bird is not present in Flaubert’s text, it embodies the eerie, nightmarish quality that Redon drew from the novel, symbolizing the surreal, menacing forces within the narrative’s moral struggles.

Technique & Style

Redon aimed to replicate the dense blackness of charcoal drawings in this lithograph, achieving a dark, grainy aesthetic that evokes a shadowy atmosphere. The dramatic contrast of light and dark alludes to chiaroscuro, enhancing the print’s ominous mood.

History & Provenance

Created as part of a series responding to Flaubert’s 1874 novel, this print was part of one of three portfolios Redon dedicated to the theme. Despite his belief in the work’s success in capturing the novel’s essence, the series was met with confusion during his lifetime.

Context

The work reflects the intersection of literary and visual avant-garde movements of the late 19th century, with Redon translating the dark imaginings of Flaubert’s prose into visual, surreal landscapes.

Legacy

Though initially misunderstood, the portfolio, including this piece, now exemplifies Redon’s pioneering work in capturing the subconscious and surreal through printmaking, influencing later artists exploring similar themes.