The artwork by Odilon Redon, titled “And on every side are columns of basalt, … the light falls from the vaulted roof (plate 3),” was created in the year 1896. The medium of this piece is lithography on paper. It falls under the Symbolism art movement and is categorized as a religious painting, belonging to the series “The Temptation of Saint Anthony.”
The artwork reveals a scene that exudes a mystical or dream-like quality, characteristic of the Symbolist movement. It features stark contrasts with deep shadows and highlights, creating drama within the space depicted. Basalt columns rise towards a vaulted ceiling, which allows light to filter through, adding depth and emphasis to the composition. These architectural features suggest a cavernous space, perhaps alluding to the inner psychological landscape as much as a literal space.
There are forms that appear to be figures shrouded in darkness, with an intricacy in texture and detail that invites the viewer to peer closer and contemplate the narrative. The viewer is presented with an environment that feels simultaneously tangible and otherworldly—an ode to the Symbolist interest in the intersection of the physical world and the spiritual or mystical realms. The artwork, being tied to “The Temptation of Saint Anthony” series, is imbued with religious symbolism, representing scenes that likely explore themes of spirituality, temptation, and introspection.