Northern Serenity

Hans Ole Brasen (Danish 1849-1930), Morning Greetings, 1907.

Mikalojus Ciurlionis (Lithuanian 1875-1911), Sailing Boats, 1906.

These two mystical works, painted at about the same time, in the first decade of the 20th century, evoke the calm before the storm of two World Wars.

A serene atmosphere is created not just through the mirror-like surface of the sea, but by the use of soft pastel hues.