Dream 1897

Joan Brull painted this scene of a woman by a pond in Barcelona, possibly at the turn of the century. The most striking feature is the ethereal figures dancing in the distance, illuminated by the moon. These figures evoke the nymphs of classical antiquity, spirits of nature known to inhabit groves and springs. We see the motif of dancing figures throughout art history—from the ancient Greek depictions of maenads, frenzied female followers of Dionysus, to Botticelli’s *Primavera*, where the Graces dance in a circle. The dance, as a symbol, often represents a connection to primal, ecstatic states, a release from earthly concerns. The woman, though present in our reality, gazes longingly at them. This image taps into our collective memory, stirring subconscious desires for freedom and connection to the natural world. The woman’s posture suggests a yearning, a silent plea to join the dance, to transcend the boundaries of her solitary existence. This speaks to the cyclical nature of human desire. The symbol of the dance is a recurring motif, evolving with each era, yet consistently reminding us of our deepest longings.