Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis
This laconic but expressive painting shows a bird flying over a dark mountain towards a rising sun. The sunrays run throughout the painting and brighten it. Judging from the name, you can guess that the bird is carrying some good news as it flies over the dark mountain. One can only guess what kind of news it is.
If we trust some of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis writings, it could be the news of the upcoming spring and its main celebration, Easter. Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis has once written that Easter soars like a bird and brings the news of rebirth to nature. Knowing how this symbolist painter liked to transform abstract concepts into fantasy paintings, that idea could have served as an inspiration for this painting.
Even though there are only a few elements in this painting, it is very dynamic: you can almost see the flutter of wings as the bird flies further and further. This painting is like a still frame and embodiment of the saying how good news travels fast. We present today's painting thanks to M.K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art :)
P.S. Did you know that Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis incorporated music theory into his paintings? We show you how to "hear" his paintings here. :)