Bridges 1905

Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis created "Bridges" using tempera paint, a process that mixes pigment with a binding agent like egg yolk, which gives the painting its distinctive matte finish. Ciurlionis seems to have delighted in the material qualities of tempera, exploiting its potential for layering thin, translucent washes of color. If you look closely, you will see the build-up of these layers, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The surface is a mix of soft, modulated tones and scratchy lines, almost like an etching. Ciurlionis was deeply interested in the possibilities of music, and you might consider the parallels between musical composition and his layering of color and form. The process isn't about virtuosity in the conventional sense. Rather, Ciurlionis seems to be drawing on traditions of folk art, where simplicity of materials and making is highly valued. Ultimately, it's through attention to these aspects of material and process that we can appreciate the depth and complexity of Ciurlionis's artistic vision, and his commitment to integrating craft and fine art.