Autumn Day 

Konstantin Gorbatov captures a scene in his painting *Autumn Day* with brushstrokes that evoke a poignant sense of temporal shift. The dominant motif here is the reflection on water, a symbol laden with meaning across cultures. Reflections, as seen in the still surface of the lake, have long symbolized introspection, illusion, and the ephemeral nature of reality. Consider Narcissus, who, bewitched by his reflection, met his demise. Likewise, we find the concept of "the world as illusion" mirrored in ancient philosophies. Here, in Gorbatov’s landscape, the water acts as a liminal space, blurring the boundaries between the material world and its mirrored counterpart. The melancholy beauty of autumn is emotionally charged; it is a season of transition, resonating with themes of mortality and the cyclical nature of life. The vibrant colors, soon to fade, evoke a bittersweet awareness, a powerful force engaging us on a subconscious level. Like echoes of the past, these reflections in water are ever-present, shaping our perception of the present, and hinting at the inevitable return of similar motifs in future artistic expressions.