Prelude 1908

Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis painted this Symbolist work, Prelude, at the turn of the 20th century. It is a dreamlike landscape populated by tiny figures scaling a mountain toward a dark, abstract form hovering above. This image creates meaning through its cultural references, reflecting the Lithuanian artist's interest in spirituality, music, and folklore. Ciurlionis was part of a generation of artists seeking to express national identity and cultural revival in the face of Russian imperial rule. His involvement in the cultural institutions of the time, like art societies and exhibitions, provided a platform for his unique visual language. The artwork’s symbolic language might allude to both personal introspection and the progressive social movements that swept through Europe at the time. To fully understand this artwork, research into Lithuanian cultural history and the Symbolist movement is essential. Only then can we appreciate the depth of meaning embedded in this seemingly simple painting.