JLM-Christian Lassen 06 Christian Riese Lassen

The composition presents a striking juxtaposition of terrestrial and aquatic realms, unified under a celestial canopy. A dramatic landscape dominates the right side of the frame: lush vegetation clings to steep rock formations from which multiple waterfalls cascade into what appears to be a vast body of water. The sky above is rendered in vibrant hues of pink, orange, and blue, punctuated by a prominent moon and scattered stars, suggesting twilight or dawn.
The left portion of the image depicts an underwater scene, teeming with marine life. Several large cetaceans – likely whales – are prominently featured, their forms partially submerged and interacting with the waters surface in a dynamic manner. Schools of smaller fish populate the foreground, adding depth and movement to this aquatic domain. The water itself is rendered with a luminous quality, reflecting the colors of the sky above and creating an ethereal atmosphere.
The artist has deliberately blurred the boundaries between these two environments. One whale appears to be breaching from the ocean into the waterfall’s flow, effectively merging the terrestrial and aquatic landscapes. This visual connection suggests themes of interconnectedness and harmony between seemingly disparate elements of nature. The scale is ambiguous; the whales appear both monumental and integrated within their environment.
The overall effect is one of fantastical realism – a dreamlike vision where natural phenomena are amplified and combined in an unexpected, yet compelling way. Theres a sense of reverence for the power and beauty of the natural world, coupled with a suggestion of something beyond human comprehension – perhaps a glimpse into a primordial or spiritual realm where boundaries dissolve. The dark borders surrounding the scene further emphasize this feeling of isolation and otherworldliness, drawing attention to the vibrant spectacle within.