Scherzo (Sonata of the Pyramids) 1909

Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis’ "Scherzo (Sonata of the Pyramids)" is a dreamscape painted in honeyed yellows and ambers. Imagine the studio, the smell of oil paint, and Ciurlionis building up these layers, a wash here, a glaze there, searching for the light that emanates from the canvas itself. I feel for him, you know? Trying to capture something so ethereal, like music made visible. Look at those pyramids—not solid, but shimmering, as if on the verge of disappearing. What was he thinking as he painted them? I bet he was trying to create an entire world, a symphony of shapes and colors. The paint looks thin, almost translucent, which adds to the otherworldly feel. That sun, though. It's not just a sun; it's a spotlight, illuminating a stage where all these forms are dancing. Ciurlionis was on to something, connecting painting with music, and inviting us to listen with our eyes. He's not alone in this quest. Painters are always riffing off each other, borrowing, stealing, and transforming ideas across time. I hope he knew how many other artists he would inspire.