Sous l'aile d'ombre, l'etre noir appliquait une active morsure (Beneath the wing of shadow the black creature was biting energetically)

Executed as a lithograph, the piece exploits the medium’s capacity for fine line work and subtle tonal gradations. Redon employs a limited palette of dark and subdued hues, allowing the lighter winged forms to emerge from the surrounding gloom, thereby enhancing depth and atmospheric tension.

The print was produced during Redon’s mature period, when he increasingly turned to black‑and‑white media after years of symbolic color work. It entered the public domain through various museum collections in the early twentieth century, though specific ownership records remain limited.

Redon’s late lithographs often explore nocturnal and dream‑like subjects, reflecting Symbolist interests in the subconscious and the uncanny. This work aligns with his broader exploration of mysterious creatures and shadowed environments that challenge rational interpretation.