Funeral Symphony (V) 1903

Curator: Before us is “Funeral Symphony (V),” created by Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis in 1903. Executed in tempera, this piece embodies the artist's unique symbolic language. Editor: It feels profoundly mournful. The colour palette is stark, a chilly blue dominating the sky. A looming figure of death presides over a scene of obvious grief—the huddled figures convey a deep sense of loss. Curator: Ciurlionis uses a simplified formal language. The shapes are distilled to their essence. Note the stark geometry of the coffin, how it acts as a grounding block against the more fluid, emotive forms. Editor: Yes, but beyond pure formalism, we need to examine this work within its context. Early 20th century Lithuania experienced intense socio-political turmoil and a resurfacing of nationalist sentiment. Considering this piece alongside these realities allows us to think of this funeral as representing a collective cultural mourning. The scythe and the skeletal figure stand in judgement not of single person, but perhaps, an entire culture’s decay. Curator: An interesting point. Ciurlionis integrates musical structure and theory into visual art through what he termed “visual sonatas." He developed these multi-panel compositions meant to emulate the experience of hearing music, and this particular piece, a panel from the Funeral Symphony set, seems to embody its structure and harmonic progressions using color and form. Editor: Indeed, music as a structural device… and think about those mourners lined up as repetitive notes within a melody, symbolizing not only sadness, but social uniformity amidst larger power structures of that time. Are they united or simply forced to present a show of solemnity under social pressures? Curator: The beauty, to me, is that the pastel’s inherent fragility underscores that ephemeral state of being. Even death seems softened and ethereal through the powdery texture. Editor: I agree, but I think the ghostly nature speaks to the ongoing cycles of struggle—past traumas echoed across generations. There are no resolute ends. The “symphony” lingers with unresolved chords… Curator: I am drawn to the stark lines of the piece and the artist’s compositional genius in creating these symbolic scenes. Editor: And I walk away thinking about how artists like Ciurlionis challenge us to ask about the cultural landscapes that shape artistic output, and in return, influence society itself.