Curtain Lviv Opera. Aendorskaya witch is the shadow of Samuel Henryk Semiradsky (1843-1902)

The canvas presents a theatrical scene brimming with allegorical figures and symbolic elements, set against a backdrop suggesting a classical architectural structure and a distant landscape bathed in warm light. The composition is densely populated, creating a sense of spectacle and abundance.
Here we see a group of individuals arranged around what appears to be a monumental archway or portal. These figures are not depicted realistically; instead, they embody various artistic disciplines – music, poetry, sculpture, dance – identifiable through their attributes and gestures. A woman holding a lyre is positioned prominently on the left, while another figure with a laurel wreath seems to represent poetic inspiration. Several cherubic figures playfully interact with the larger group, adding an element of lightness and charm.
Emerging from the lower center of the composition is a spectral form, rendered in swirling white tones that suggest movement and ethereality. This apparition appears to be interacting with one of the central figures, a man dressed in blue robes, creating a focal point of intrigue and potential narrative tension. The presence of this ghostly figure introduces an element of mystery and perhaps even foreboding into the otherwise celebratory scene.
To the right, a woman holds aloft a scroll or banner bearing inscriptions – likely quotations or dedications relevant to the context of the work. Further back, on a raised platform, stands another female figure adorned with wings, seemingly observing the proceedings from above. The landscape visible through the archway is idealized and romanticized, contributing to the overall sense of grandeur and artistic aspiration.
The color palette is rich and vibrant, dominated by warm tones – golds, reds, and yellows – which enhance the feeling of festivity and abundance. However, the inclusion of darker hues in the shadows and within the spectral figure’s form introduces a subtle contrast that prevents the scene from becoming overly saccharine.
Subtly, the painting seems to explore themes of artistic creation, inspiration, and perhaps even the interplay between the tangible world and the realm of imagination or memory. The ghostly presence suggests an underlying narrative – possibly referencing historical figures or events associated with the location for which this work was originally intended. The arrangement of the figures around the archway implies a transition or gateway, hinting at the transformative power of art itself.