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Saint-Antoine: Il doit y avoir quelque part des figures primordiales dont les corps ne sont que les images (Saint Anthony: "Somewhere there must be primordial shapes whose bodiesare only images")

Odilon Redon , 1889

Saint-Antoine: Il doit y avoir quelque part des figures primordiales dont les corps ne sont que les images (Saint Anthony: "Somewhere there must be primordial shapes whose bodiesare only images"), by Odilon Redon, ink, 1889
Saint-Antoine: Il doit y avoir quelque part des figures primordiales dont les corps ne sont que les images (Saint Anthony: "Somewhere there must be primordial shapes whose bodiesare only images"), by Odilon Redon, ink, 1889

Saint-Antoine: Il doit y avoir quelque part des figures primordiales dont les corps ne sont que les images (Saint Anthony: "Somewhere there must be primordial shapes whose bodiesare only images") is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Odilon Redon. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Saint-Antoine is a 1889 lithograph by Odilon Redon, housed at the National Gallery of Art, Washington. The work depicts a ghostly, shadowy figure with distinct, unsettling features.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, Saint Anthony, is rendered in an unconventional, eerie manner: a spiky-crowned figure with wide, staring eyes, partially obscured by darkness. The title's text suggests the existence of primal, elusive forms that transcend tangible reality.

Technique & Style

The lithograph exhibits a deliberately rough, sketchy quality, with prominent scratches, smudges, and dark lines that evoke a sense of fading or melting. This style blurs the line between finished work and preliminary sketch.

History & Provenance

Created in 1889, the piece is part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington, D.C., though specific acquisition details are not provided here.

Context

Saint-Antoine reflects Redon's exploration of the intersection between the spiritual and the subconscious, characteristic of his late 19th-century Symbolist leanings.

Legacy

While specific influences or direct descendants of Saint-Antoine are not detailed, it contributes to Redon's broader impact on early 20th-century artists experimenting with dreamlike, psychologically charged imagery.

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, Odilon Redon

Artist & collection

Portrait of Odilon Redon

Artist

Odilon Redon

Odilon Redon (born Bertrand Redon; French: ; 20 April 1840 – 6 July 1916) was a French Symbolist draftsman, printmaker, and painter.

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.In the collection of National Gallery of Art. Compiled & edited by , Editor & Founder.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Saint-Antoine: Il doit y avoir quelque part des figures primordiales dont les corps ne sont que les images (Saint Anthony: "Somewhere there must be primordial shapes whose bodiesare only images")?

Saint-Antoine: Il doit y avoir quelque part des figures primordiales dont les corps ne sont que les images (Saint Anthony: "Somewhere there must be primordial shapes whose bodiesare only images") was painted by Odilon Redon in 1889.

Where can I see Saint-Antoine: Il doit y avoir quelque part des figures primordiales dont les corps ne sont que les images (Saint Anthony: "Somewhere there must be primordial shapes whose bodiesare only images")?

Saint-Antoine: Il doit y avoir quelque part des figures primordiales dont les corps ne sont que les images (Saint Anthony: "Somewhere there must be primordial shapes whose bodiesare only images") is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint-Antoine: Il doit y avoir quelque part des figures primordiales dont les corps ne sont que les images (Saint Anthony: "Somewhere there must be primordial shapes whose bodiesare only images")?

Saint-Antoine: Il doit y avoir quelque part des figures primordiales dont les corps ne sont que les images (Saint Anthony: "Somewhere there must be primordial shapes whose bodiesare only images") is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Saint-Antoine: Il doit y avoir quelque part des figures primordiales dont les corps ne sont que les images (Saint Anthony: "Somewhere there must be primordial shapes whose bodiesare only images")?

Museum-quality prints of Saint-Antoine: Il doit y avoir quelque part des figures primordiales dont les corps ne sont que les images (Saint Anthony: "Somewhere there must be primordial shapes whose bodiesare only images") are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.