The grotto

The dreary composition depicts dull dark blue and green water inside of a grotto. The enclosed and stifling space symbolises man’s separation from the unity of being and their imprisonment by their own mind, being shackled by the chains of spiritual darkness. In the distance on the right side, a thin beam of light is shining through the opening of the grotto. It signifies the road of man’s inner development leading to freedom from the clutches of the worldly mind and ultimately allowing man’s unification with the cosmic universe. The composition is somewhat reminiscent of M. K. Čiurlionis’ The Night at Sea (1906) because of its colour scheme and symbolism. Here, there are no beams of light beyond the grate, but one can see mysterious lights in the distance that seem to serve as lights guiding through the darkness into a mystical enlightenment.