Sparks (I) 1906

'Sparks (I)' was painted by Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis. The gentle brushstrokes and muted colours here feel like a dreamy memory. It’s a great example of artmaking as a process of exploration, like feeling your way through a dark room. The texture is soft, almost velvety, and the colours blend into one another creating a hazy effect. The paint application seems delicate, with thin layers building up the image. Looking closely, the ‘sparks’ themselves are built of layers of grey, with highlights of pale yellow on the surface, creating a luminous quality. The top layer is really thin, and allows what's underneath to glow through. It's like Ciurlionis is showing us that light comes from darkness. This piece reminds me of the work of Odilon Redon, who also explored dreamlike imagery and symbolic themes. Both artists invite us into a world of imagination and contemplation, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur.