The castle

The composition in the top-right corner of the painting depicts a castle in an ocean. The skies above the castle are grey and cloudy. The colours merge with the walls and the waters. In contrast, the composition on the left side is bright with the glow of the setting sun. The contours of the castle are outlined using a dark Secession-styled line. The upper part of the structure is brighter and clearly displayed, while the bottom part is engulfed in mist. The light that is reflected off of the water was painted by performing gentle individual strokes using light blue and light green colours, the result of which was a somewhat transparent flare. The work of art reveals a mystical world surrounded by ephemeral fog in the middle of the vast waters, in which stands a castle symbolising good and beauty. It is a mystical place that can only be found beyond the boundaries of matter. It is the peak of the mountain of inner freedom that depicts the aim of spiritual development idolised by many symbolists.