“Sparks” is one of the first cycles dedicated to the theme of nature. The series draws closer to abstraction because it depicts a generalized portrait of nature as opposed to a specific landscape.

The artist Antanas Žmuidzinavičius recalls in his memoirs how Čiurlionis and his brothers travelled up the Nemunas River to the town of Jurbarkas. One moment from this trip could be reflected in the “Sparks” series: “I opened my eyes. Circular stars rolled high up across our path in a mist. Gliding past each other, some up, some down, in fabulous whirlpools of mist. They were being scattered by a surging black dragon. The air was filled with the sounds of a midnight symphony. Either side of us, giant pillars supported the sky. And this was but the noise of a night train speeding across the railway bridge. What a delight!” (Žmuidzinavičius, A. “Žiupsnelis atsiminimų”. M.K. Čiurlionis. Ed. P. Galaunė. Kaunas: Vytautas Magnus Culture Museum, M.K. Čiurlionis Gallery, Vol. No. 9., 1938. 79)

From 2024-02-24 until 2024-06-08 this cycle is exhibited in Museum Belvédère in Heerenveen, Netherlands.