Creation of the World

It all starts with a phrase - "Let it be!" ("Stan się" in Polish).

The outstreched palm of an almighty God brings the lights and new possible world into existence.

A new system is developing.

At the time of the painting (1905/1906), Kant and Laplace's nebular hypothesis about the formation of the Solar System was popular and so we can see it also reflected here.

The frozen planet and its moon are slowly forming in the cold cosmos.

The deity that probably started the creation of the new world is here again, this time to create the planet's atmosphere.

We see the new air billowing out from the pipe and filling the planet's atmosphere.

Here M. K. Čiurlionis seemingly returns to the story of Biblical creation and combines the events of two days in one story – the separation of land and water as well as the creation of heavenly skies.

We see two moons shining (like all seeing eyes) and reflecting in the water.

The second part of creating a world starts: we have the planet, now we need plants and life on it.

The landscape is still quite frozen, perhaps the planet is not warm enough yet.

We see red plants sprouting from the land.

The color red is not as prominent, but it slowly overcomes the before dominant white.

The planet is becoming alive! Fantasy tulips are sprouting all over the land.

We see more yellow: it could indicate the shining sun that is above this new land.

M. K. Čiurlionis grew up next to forests and picking mushrooms was a common activity in the late summer, beginning of autumn.

No wonder that this new world is also sprouting some fantasy mushrooms; they are important for the ecosystem after all.

The colors dim a little and we get a glimpse - could this be the first inhabitant of this new world? An all knowing serpent?

Here M. K. Čiurlionis adds Lithuanian mythology as Serpents in Lithuanian culture were seen as guardians of homes that also bring good harvest and wealth.

Finally, we see the Sun as it is setting over the new world.

M. K. Čiurlionis planned to draw over a 100 paintings in this series. Sadly, he died (in 1911, he was 35) before he could reach his goal. So we are left to wonder - what else appeared in this world?