FINALE From Cycle SONATA IV (Sonata of the Summer)

This painting, "FINALE From Cycle SONATA IV (Sonata of the Summer)" by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, is a fascinating fusion of abstract and representational elements. The canvas features ethereal, cloud-like shapes that dominate the background, rendered in soft, warm hues that convey a sense of the gentle decay and transformation of late summer into fall. These forms blend into the background, creating a dream-like atmosphere.The central focus of the painting is an array of architectural structures that appear to float amidst the clouds. These structures are depicted in a more solid, discernible form than the surrounding elements. The bell tower-like shape, with its clearly defined windows and sharp vertical lines, suggest a human-made origin, possibly evoking the fleeting nature of human endeavors against the vast, timeless expanse of the natural world.The use of color is subtle yet distinctly varied; the buildings are colored with earth tones that include reds, greens, and blues, bringing a slight vibrancy into the mainly pastel environment. The way these colors are applied—not fully opaque, allowing the background to show through—enhances the painting’s dreamy, otherworldly quality.This artwork might be seen as a visual representation of a musical sonata’s final movement, where themes come together in a concluding harmony, reflecting Čiurlionis's own background as a composer and painter, where his works often explored the synesthetic relationships between sight and sound.