Andante (Sonata of the Stars) 1908

Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis painted this dreamscape, Andante, with watercolour and tempera. Imagine him there, layering these translucent colours, one over the other – yellow, ochre, and blue, like a geological survey of the mind! Look at the texture created by these thin washes of paint. It's almost like he’s scraping away at the surface, revealing the layers beneath. What was Ciurlionis thinking when he made that floating form in the middle? It's like a planet, or maybe a seed, suspended in this otherworldly space. And that line cutting across the composition, punctuated by stars – what’s that about? It’s like a musical staff – the painting's a score waiting to be played. Ciurlionis was deeply involved in music, composing several symphonic poems. Painting and music: what a combo. Painters and composers – we're all in this constant conversation across time, inspiring each other, riffing off each other’s ideas. This painting is an invitation to listen, to feel, and to find your own rhythm within its layers.