Artwork

First a Pool of Water, Then a Prostitute, the Corner of a Temple, a Soldier's Face, a Chariot with Two White, Rearing Horses

First a Pool of Water, Then a Prostitute, the Corner of a Temple, a Soldier's Face, a Chariot with Two White, Rearing Horses 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. This print is part of a portfolio inspired by Gustave Flaubert's novel The Temptation of Saint Anthony.

About this work

Overview

This print is part of a portfolio inspired by Gustave Flaubert's novel The Temptation of Saint Anthony. The portfolio is one of three created by Odilon Redon, exploring the novel's fantastical themes through lithography.

Subject & Meaning

The print features a collection of disparate elements, including a pool of water, a woman's face, a temple corner, a soldier, and rearing horses. These images evoke a dreamlike atmosphere, capturing the mood of Flaubert's text rather than illustrating specific events.

Technique & Style

Redon employed lithography to achieve the dense blackness characteristic of charcoal drawings. The resulting print features stark tonal variations and chiaroscuro, creating an otherworldly, mysterious effect.

Context

Redon's work was influenced by the avant-garde literary scene, particularly Flaubert's novel. The prints in this series reflect the darkly imaginative tone of the text, presenting invented creatures and settings.