Paweł Kardis - Noc świętojańska

Paweł Kardis (born 1983)
"Noc świętojańska" - 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 work will be shipped on a gallery stretcher and securely packed

Description:

The painting depicts a young woman waist-deep in dark, tranquil water. The composition exudes an atmosphere of mystery, magic, and deep calm, directly referencing Slavic rituals associated with the summer solstice.

The central figure is a girl with long, dark, wet hair falling over her shoulders. She has slightly closed eyes and a facial expression full of contemplation and focus, suggesting an intimate, almost ritualistic character of the performed action. The woman holds in front of her a traditional wreath woven from wildflowers, herbs, and branches. Right in the middle of the wreath is a lit candle. The warm, orange-golden 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 also reflected in the water surface and in the mirrored image of the lower part of her body.

The background of the painting is dark and mysterious, suggesting dense riverbank vegetation or a forest edge at midnight. On the water surface around the figure, there float delicate, violet-pink lilac-like flowers, resembling water lilies or lotuses, adding a subtle charm to the composition. The whole work is characterized by painterly texture, visible brushstrokes, and masterful handling of light and shadow, building a romantic yet mystical mood of the midsummer night ritual.