Artwork

Sans cesse a mes cotes s'agite le demon (Ceaselessly by my side the demon stirs)

Sans cesse a mes cotes s'agite le demon (Ceaselessly by my side the demon stirs) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Sans cesse a mes cotes s'agite le demon is a 1890 lithograph by Odilon Redon, depicting a haunting, dreamlike scene of two figures on a rocky ledge beside water.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows two shadowy, weary figures - one contemplative, the other lethargic - set against a backdrop of a cave and a blurred moon, evoking a sense of liminality between light and darkness, symbolically suggesting the constant presence of an inner turmoil or 'demon'.

Technique & Style

Redon employed soft lithographic shading to create blurred edges, imbuing the scene with a dreamy, ethereal quality, while the muted tones and abstracted forms enhance the overall somber, introspective atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created in 1890, this work is characteristic of Redon's late 19th-century output, though specific provenance details are not provided here.

Context

This piece reflects Redon's exploration of the subconscious and inner struggles, themes prevalent in Symbolist art of the time, which often favored suggestive, psychologically complex imagery over realism.

Legacy

While not individually renowned in the provided context, this lithograph contributes to Redon's broader influence on early 20th-century printmaking and the development of expressive, psychologically nuanced art forms.