And All Manner of Frightful Creatures Arise
1888
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1888
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
You see a swirling black cloud filled with floating eyes, grinning skulls, and half-formed monsters. Redon made these prints after reading Flaubert’s novel about a saint’s nightmares. He didn’t copy the story—he drew the feeling of dread itself. The thick, inky blacks make the creatures feel like they’re rising from deep shadows. If you like this eerie mood, look up the technique sfumato—it’s how artists soften edges to create mystery.
