Paweł Kardis - Noc świętojańska

Paweł Kardis (born in 1983)
"St. John's Eve" - St. John's Eve (2026) Acrylic painting on canvas
40 cm x 30 cm x 2 cm
Signed with paint in the lower right corner
The artwork will be shipped on a stretched canvas and safely packaged

Description:

The painting depicts a young woman immersed up to her waist in dark, tranquil water. The composition exudes an atmosphere of mystery, magic, and deep calm, directly evoking Slavic customs associated with the summer solstice.

The central figure is a girl with long, dark, wet hair falling over her shoulders. She has lightly lowered eyes and a contemplative, focused expression, suggesting an intimate, almost ritual character of the performed action. The woman holds in front of her a traditional wreath braided from field flowers, herbs, and branches. In the very center of the wreath is a lit candle. The warm, orange-gold flame is the main light source in this scene. It illuminates the girl's face, shoulders, and hands, creating a clear contrast with the cool, dark surroundings. The glow of the candle is also reflected on the water surface and in the mirror-like reflection of the lower part of her body.

The background of the painting is dark and mysterious, suggesting dense riverside vegetation or a forest edge in the middle of the night. On the water's surface, around the figure, floating delicate violet-pink water lily flowers, resembling white water lilies or lotuses, add a subtle charm to the composition. The whole work is characterized by a painterly texture, visible brushstrokes, and masterful handling of light and shadow, building a romantic yet mystical mood of the Kupala Night.