C Major9 - Variation 5 — Acrylic on Paper by Arnaud Quercy

About This Artwork

This work explores the visual translation of a C Major9 chord through synesthetic color mapping, part of the Synesthetic Explorations collection where musical harmonies become visible through systematic color associations. The piece investigates how the extended harmony of a major ninth chord—with its root, third, fifth, seventh, and ninth—can be expressed through coordinated color relationships that mirror musical intervals.

Yellow-orange tones dominate the composition, appearing throughout the surface in varying intensities from deep burnt sienna to pale wheat. Red-orange areas occupy substantial portions, creating warm coral and tan passages that interact with the yellow-orange foundation. Gray tones provide structural anchoring, ranging from very dark charcoal to medium slate, while small accent notes of deep orange, violet silver, and red-violet black punctuate specific areas.

The acrylic on paper work measures 14.8 × 21.0 cm and weighs minimal due to its paper support. Created in 2024, it carries certificate of authenticity number 20240306-0049 with the artist's signature on the back. The piece represents Variation 5 within the Research on Harmony series, demonstrating how extended jazz harmonies translate into visual color relationships through the artist's synesthetic approach.