1905
Paper, water-colour, whitewash, pastel, brush, pen, graphite pencil
70 õ 106
Having conceived an idea for a monumental series on the theme of "Seasons", Borisov-Musatov creates water-colour sketches.
Composition "Dream of deity" was the last in the series. But contrary to the expected winter theme, Borisov-Musatov portrays deep autumn, Nature's sleep. In line with the pantheistic idea of eternal life, the artist looks beyond withering to see awakening and makes no haste to plunge the world into deadening winter sleep and night-time darkness.
The technique of smoky water-colour resembles fresco paintings. The landscape's autumn foggy colours seem to transpose us to the world of shadows whereas the image of a manor, which closes the vista at the edge of the clouds, is perceived as a vision of an ancient cathedral.
The artist provided his murals with expanded poetical notes: "Lateral part of window. Painting IV. Dream of deity. An old park by the ruins of a tower is sleeping; the god of love is sleeping. His pedestal is timidly embraced by the last, pale roses. One more promenade, one more glance before parting, and those two will disappear… the sun's evening beam high up in the sky is dying on ominous clouds and is reflected in the pond."
