Do you still laugh sometimes? Do you know how to lose yourself completely all over again in a moment of elemental joy—because of a view of houses, a human atmosphere, a song, a bit of landscape, a piece of film: in short a piece of good warm life? It’s something I love so much in you.
[Simone Weil, from a letter to Albertine Thévenon]

Which is, in English: “The eye, like a bizarre balloon, directs itself toward the infinite.” And no kidding, it is the actual title of this piece, by Odilon Redon. This was the shining gleaning from my reading in the book on symbolism this morning. I can’t tell whether he’s being hilarious on purpose or by accident, but I will cherish this forever.

L'oeuil, comme un ballon bizarre, se dirige vers l'infini